Chicago Sun-Times · Mar 2
How much should Cubs fans take from Shota Imanaga's rough second spring start?
Shota Imanaga throws a warm up pitch prior to a spring training game start at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ on February 24, 2026. File photo.GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Cubs manager Craig Counsell isn’t leaping to any conclusions after left-hander Shota Imanaga was hit hard in his last spring training start.
“The first home run, I thought, was a good pitch that they hit,” Counsell said Monday, reflecting on the previous day’s outing.
For the next two, Counsell pointed to sequencing, a collaborative responsibility, as a potential issue.
“But the velocity was good again, which is really encouraging,” Counsell said. “So we’re a step closer, on a good day of build up.”