Cubs’ Edward Cabrera will return to rotation Sunday vs. Cardinals

Cubs right-hander Edward Cabrera, who has been on the injured list since June 24 with a strained left hamstring/adductor, is expected to rejoin the rotation in the finale of the series Sunday against the Cardinals.

Manager Craig Counsell made the announcement after Cabrera threw a bullpen session before the Cubs’ 3-0 victory Friday.

Left-hander Shota Imanaga, who had been slated to start Sunday against the Cardinals’ Hunter Dobbins, will pitch the opener of the Cubs’ three-game set Monday against the White Sox at Wrigley Field.

Cabrera is 5-4 with a 5.10 ERA in 14 starts in his first season with the Cubs. He was hurt when he stretched for a throw at first base during the Cubs’ 9-6 victory June 23 against the Mets in New York. Cabrera did splits on the play, came up limping and had to be carted off the field.

In late May and early June, Cabrera missed two weeks with a blister on his right middle finger. Counsell didn’t specify any restrictions for Cabrera in his return but said, ‘‘I think normal first start off the injured list caution.’’

The Cubs acquired Cabrera from the Marlins last offseason in a trade that sent prospects Owen Caissie, Cristian Hernandez and Edgardo De Leon to Miami.

A nice problem

Counsell said he isn’t sure who might be shifted from the rotation after Cabrera’s return.

And that was before right-hander Clay Holmes tossed one-hit ball into the seventh inning in his impressive home debut with the Cubs after being acquired from the Mets at the trade deadline.

‘‘I don’t think the sixth starter is kind of a viable thing for us right now in terms of what it does to the bullpen,’’ Counsell said. ‘‘So we’re going to perceive five starters here. But as we get to September, that may change.

‘‘We have a lot of starters, and then trying to kind of manage that to the best of our ability so they can be effective.’’

After their rotation and bullpen were depleted by injuries for much of the season, the Cubs soon might have the luxury of having almost too many quality arms.

‘‘It’s certainly better than the alternative,’’ Counsell said.

What can Brown do?

Right-hander Ben Brown, who has been on the IL since June 21 with a strained neck, said he hopes to be pitching again in ‘‘three or four weeks.’’

‘‘I had a really good bullpen [session] today,’’ Brown said. ‘‘Then if you do the progression, you can kind of see where the finish line is.

‘‘I’m throwing in full health right now and just building, and [it’s] super-encouraging.’’

Brown, 26, blossomed as a starter after injuries to other Cubs pitchers led to him being shifted to the rotation May 8. He made eight starts and was 3-1 with a 1.70 ERA in them before getting hurt. The Cubs were 6-2 in those games.

Brown allowed one run and three hits in seven innings May 30 against the Cardinals. He yielded one hit in 5⅓ scoreless innings June 6 against the Giants.

Brown said his injury is ‘‘definitely more unique than a hamstring pull, but I’m putting my brain power toward it and so is everyone over here.’’

Brown, who made his first 12 appearances this season out of the bullpen, doesn’t seem concerned if that’s where he lands.

‘‘Ben has, you know, performed in a multitude of roles,’’ Counsell said. ‘‘With somebody like Ben, he’s done both [start and relieve] this season. We’re just worried about him getting healthy.’’

Steele update

Left-hander Justin Steele, who is working back from Tommy John surgery and a setback, ‘‘threw his best bullpen [session] since he’s been into the rehab process,’’ Counsell said.