CHICAGO — Porter Hodge‘s left oblique strain, which landed him on the 15-day injured list, is “kind of resolved” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Saturday morning.

Just don’t expect Hodge back in the Cubs’ bullpen too soon. He’s now dealing with a left hip impingement and likely will require a minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining the big-league team.

“We’re good on the oblique, so we’re trying to get through that right now,” Counsell said before Saturday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds. “Making progress and hope to be at the bullpen stage next week, but because of the time he’s missed, he’ll definitely require some rehab outing.

“So, we’re looking at a couple weeks still.”

Hodge’s injury was a blow to the Cubs’ beleaguered bullpen, as it happened just a week and a half after Ryan Pressly allowed eight earned runs while recording no outs in an extra-innings loss to the San Francisco Giants. Pressly’s outing meant Hodge was elevated to the closer’s role, which he also held at the end of the 2024 season, racking up nine saves in his rookie campaign.

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That was a breakthrough campaign for the right-hander, as he posted a 1.88 ERA in 39 games. His numbers this season haven’t been as sharp — he sports a 5.12 ERA in 19.1 innings across 21 games, but that number is a tad inflated since the 11 earned runs he’s allowed have been concentrated across four outings.

In Hodge’s stead, left-hander Drew Pomeranz and right-handers Daniel Palencia and Brad Keller have emerged as Counsell’s go-to leverage options. Palencia has four saves this season and sports a 1.83 ERA in 19.2 innings.

The news on Hodge was among a plethora of pitching injury updates Counsell provided Saturday. Here’s the latest on more injured Cubs arms:

Shota Imanaga

The Cubs ace threw a bullpen session Saturday. If he comes out of that healthy, the expectation is the left-hander will face live hitters at the Cubs’ spring training facility in Mesa, Ariz., Counsell said.

Imanaga has been out since May 5 with a left hamstring strain, and Counsell previously stated that the ace’s return would be “well into June.” Imanaga probably would have to build back up after his lengthy absence and require a few rehab outings before returning to the majors.

Javier Assad

The righty continued to play catch as he works back from a left oblique strain. He originally suffered the injury at the start of spring training, began the season on the 15-day IL, and then had a rehab assignment in mid-April. During that stint, the injury flared back up, and he was transferred to the 60-day injured list at the end of April.

Tyson Miller

Miller continues his rehab assignment with the Iowa Cubs, Counsell said. The right-hander originally landed on the IL with a left hip impingement on March 25. He was hit by a comebacker during his rehab assignment and transferred to the 60-day IL on May 13, clearing a 40-man spot for top prospect Moisés Ballesteros.

Eli Morgan

Morgan (right elbow impingement) is at the Cubs complex in Mesa and in the bullpen stage of his rehab, Counsell said. The right-hander was in the Cubs’ Opening Day bullpen and had a 12.27 ERA in seven appearances before landing on the injured list.