Shota Imanaga’s recovery and rehab process will be measured in weeks, not days, as the Chicago Cubs cautiously handle the injury.

Sitting in first place in the NL Central, the Chicago Cubs are going to be cautious with Shota Imanaga, 31, while the left-hander recovers from a hamstring injury, and the pitcher will keep his arm loose by playing catch,

Given the way Shota Imanaga walked off the field in Milwaukee on Sunday, Cubs manager Craig Counsell felt a trip to the injured list was the likely outcome for the left-handed starter. That step officially arrived for Imanaga prior to Monday’s game against the Giants.