Ian Happ Expected to Be Activated Soon, Shōta Imanaga Down Until ‘Well into June’

Craig Counsell provided some injury updates prior to Monday’s opener in Miami, telling media members that Ian Happ should be activated during the series. He’s eligible to come off the IL Tuesday, so it makes sense for them to have him back in the lineup right away. He may not go right back to the top of the order, and it’s possible he’ll work as the DH more frequently at first to ease back into a groove following his bout with oblique tightness.

The timeline isn’t nearly as brief for Shōta Imanaga, who will not begin throwing off a mound until late next week. Counsell didn’t offer specifics, but said the expectation is not expected back until “well into June.” If he isn’t even back to the mound until late May, we’re probably looking at mid-June for a rehab stint and late in the same month at best before he’s stretched out again.

That means plenty more starts for Cade Horton, who should get much better results when he’s not pitching with a jet stream blowing out to center. Moises Ballesteros will be a casualty of Happ’s return, mainly because he needs to keep getting regular at-bats. The young slugger hasn’t been getting great results, but he’s barreled up a few balls recently and showed flashes of what he can do as he matures.