Shota Imanaga, a Japanese pitcher, has become a free agent after the Chicago Cubs declined his contract option and he also declined a $15 million player option for 2026, following a strong rookie season and subsequent injury struggles, making him a sought-after player for teams aiming for the 2026 World Series.
Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga has rejected his contract options and is now a free agent, after declining a $15 million player option for 2026 and the team's offer to extend his contract. Imanaga, who had a strong 2024 season but struggled later, is seeking a new deal after his initial four-year, $53 million contract with the Cubs.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell defended his decision to leave pitcher Shota Imanaga in to face Manny Machado, who then hit a decisive two-run homer, in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series. The decision was based on confidence in Imanaga's performance, despite the outcome, and a Game 3 will determine the series winner, with Yu Darvish starting for the Padres and Jameson Taillon for the Cubs.
The Chicago Cubs experienced a tough game with Shōta Imanaga delivering a poor start, but there are positive injury updates and an extraordinary performance by rookie Nick Kurtz, who achieved a historic game with multiple records. Concerns remain about Luke Little's recent outings and Wiggins' health, but overall, the team is navigating a challenging period with notable individual achievements.
The Chicago Cubs, now holding the best record in MLB at 59-39, secured a 6-0 victory over the Red Sox, fueled by five solo home runs and a stellar seven-inning shutout from pitcher Shota Imanaga, who improved to 7-3 and has been dominant since returning from injury.
The Chicago Cubs, with Shota Imanaga on the mound, face the New York Mets at Wrigley Field. The Cubs lineup includes Nico Hoerner leading off and Patrick Wisdom at first base. The Mets, who have been strong against left-handed pitching, counter with Jose Quintana. The game starts at 1:20 pm CT and will be broadcast on Marquee Sports Network, FS1, and 670 The Score.
The Chicago Cubs pulled off a thrilling 7-6 comeback win against the White Sox, overcoming a five-run deficit. Key moments included home runs from Christopher Morel and Patrick Wisdom, a standout performance by Ian Happ, and a crucial pick-off by Hector Neris in the 9th inning. Despite a rough fourth inning for Shōta Imanaga, the bullpen held strong to secure the victory.
Shota Imanaga, a Japanese pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, has rapidly become a star in MLB despite initial skepticism due to his lack of overpowering velocity and physical stature. With a 1.86 ERA in his first ten starts, Imanaga's success is attributed to his unique pitch movement, confidence, and the Cubs' supportive environment. His unexpected rise has left many in the baseball industry questioning their scouting and evaluation methods.
Shōta Imanaga had his first rough outing of the season against the Milwaukee Brewers, struggling with pitch location and movement, resulting in a high number of foul balls and few whiffs. Despite the poor performance, Imanaga and his manager Craig Counsell are not overly concerned, attributing it to an off night rather than any lingering issues from a previously skipped start.
The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Chicago Cubs 10-6, marking the first rough outing for Cubs pitcher Shōta Imanaga in his MLB career. Despite a strong offensive effort from the Cubs, including a homer from Ian Happ, they couldn't overcome the Brewers' bats. Kyle Hendricks struggled in relief, and the Cubs missed several key scoring opportunities.
Cubs ace Shota Imanaga struggled in his latest outing, giving up 7 runs in 4.1 innings as the Cubs lost to the Brewers 10-6. Despite the rough game, Imanaga and his teammates remain positive, acknowledging his impressive season so far. Cubs manager Craig Counsell and players expressed confidence in Imanaga's ability to bounce back.
The Cubs are using a rainout to give Shōta Imanaga extra rest, pushing his start to the Brewers series, while Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad will pitch against the Cardinals. Drew Smyly is set to return from the IL, likely replacing a bullpen member. In Iowa, Pete Crow-Armstrong had a standout game, contributing significantly to the team's success.
Shota Imanaga, a 30-year-old left-hander for the Chicago Cubs, has stunned MLB hitters with an MLB-best 0.84 ERA in his first two months, thanks to his deceptive delivery and effective fastball-splitter combination. After signing a four-year, $53 million contract, Imanaga's success has been attributed to his unique pitching style and his comfort in Chicago, where he spent the offseason. His performance has made him one of the best free agent additions this season.
BCB After Dark discusses the Cubs' recent win against the Diamondbacks, highlighting standout performances by Ben Brown, Michael Busch, and Nico Hoerner. The article also delves into jazz and cinema, specifically discussing French-Israeli pianist Yaron Herman's rendition of Radiohead's "No Surprises" and Alfred Hitchcock's 1950 film "Stage Fright." The discussion then shifts to the potential Rookie of the Year for the Cubs, with a focus on left-handed pitcher Shōta Imanaga and first baseman Michael Busch, prompting readers to vote for their favorite.
Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga achieved a feat not seen by a Cubs pitcher in 115 years by recording his second win of the season in his third career start, maintaining a perfect 0.000 ERA through 15.1 innings pitched. He is the first Cubs pitcher since 1909 to achieve this, joining elite company with King Cole and Ed Reulbach. With just two walks and 16 strikeouts, Imanaga's impressive start to his big league career has given the Cubs a chance to take the series against the Seattle Mariners and he is next slated to pitch in a four-game series against the Miami Marlins.