Cubs' Shota Imanaga: Settles for no-decision vs. Dodgers
Rotowire
Imanaga didn't factor into the decision against the Dodgers on Tuesday after allowing five runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out six.
The star left-hander was working against a vaunted Dodgers lineup and also the wind blowing out toward center field, but he fared well for the most part in spite of the difficult circumstances. Tommy Edman's first-inning three-run jack carried a bit into deep center field, but Gage Workman's fielding error earlier in the frame meant all three runs were unearned. Imanaga tied a career high with three homers allowed Tuesday, but he'll carry a strong 2.38 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 27:12 K:BB across 34 innings into a much softer matchup against the Pirates in his next scheduled start. As a team, Pittsburgh entered Tuesday ranked 28th in MLB in slugging percentage (.320).
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Cubs' Shota Imanaga: Fans seven in no-decision
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Imanaga came away with a no-decision in Tuesday's 2-1 extra-inning win over the Padres, giving up one unearned run on four hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out seven.
After escaping jams in the third and fourth innings, Imanaga's luck ran out in the fifth when both Kyle Tucker and Gage Workman dropped pop flies in foul territory, giving Manny Machado a third life which he used to launch a solo homer. It was the only blemish on the southpaw's line, as he tossed 64 of 93 pitches for strikes before exiting. Imanaga will take a 2.22 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB through 28.1 innings over five starts into his next outing, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Dodgers.
Imanaga (2-1) took the loss Wednesday against the Rangers, allowing five runs on seven hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out four.
It was a tough day for Imanaga, who allowed a solo home run to Corey Seager in the first inning before he was tagged for a four-spot in the fifth, highlighted by a two-run Jonah Heim homer. Imanaga had been rolling to start the year, allowing just two runs through his first 18.1 innings coming into the day while posting a 0.71 WHIP. The left-hander's ERA now sits at 2.70 following his first loss. Imanaga will look to get back on track in his next outing, tentatively lined up for next week in San Diego.
Imanaga (2-0) earned the win against the Padres on Friday, allowing one run on four hits and no walks with four strikeouts over 7.1 innings.
Imanaga gave up a solo homer in the third inning but mostly baffled the Padres, delivering their first loss of the season. He pounded the zone, firing strikes on 68 of 91 pitches while generating 13 whiffs. The 31-year-old has been fantastic so far in 2025, posting a 0.98 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 10:6 K:BB across 18.1 innings. He'll aim to keep the momentum going against the Rangers next week.
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Cubs' Shota Imanaga: Shines in quality start
Rotowire
Imanaga (1-0) tossed seven innings in a win against Arizona on Saturday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks while striking out four batters.
Imanaga fell behind when he gave up a run in the second inning, but that was the only time the Diamondbacks managed to cross the plate while he was in the game. The southpaw threw 91 pitches -- 63 of which were strikes -- and induced 14 whiffs in his first victory of the campaign. Imanaga has surrendered just one run over 11 frames despite posting a mediocre 6:6 K:BB across his first two starts of the year.
Cubs' Shota Imanaga: First domestic start not revealed
Rotowire
Imanaga will not start either of the Cubs' first two games during their March 27-30 series against the Diamondbacks, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Imanaga started the first game of the Tokyo Series against the Dodgers and spun four scoreless innings. However, he will have to wait until at least the third game back in the states, as the Cubs will go with Justin Steele in their domestic opener and follow him with Jameson Taillon.
Cubs' Shota Imanaga: Tosses four scoreless in opener
Rotowire
Imanaga didn't factor in the decision Tuesday against the Dodgers in Tokyo after he struck out two and allowed no hits and four walks over four scoreless innings.
The left-hander didn't allow a hit while pitching in his home country of Japan, but Los Angeles still generated some opportunities with patience at the plate. Imanaga threw 43 of 69 pitches for strikes and induced 12 whiffs, so the stuff was good even though it didn't result in strikeouts. After posting a 2.91 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 174:28 K:BB over 173.1 innings as an MLB rookie last year, the 31-year-old produced a quality outing to begin 2025 despite a limited workload.
Imanaga -- who will start Tuesday's opener against the Dodgers in Tokyo -- has allowed seven runs with a 13:2 K:BB over 11 Cactus League innings this spring.
Imanaga has served up three home runs but has been elite in terms of his K:BB, which essentially sums up what he did during his rookie season with the Cubs, as well. The left-hander faces a tall task in going up against the Dodgers' lineup in his first outing of the season. Imanaga threw 75 pitches in his last Cactus League start a week ago, so he should be available for 85-to-90 or so pitches Tuesday.
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