Mesa, Arizona – Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga faced a challenging outing in a spring training game against the White Sox on Friday, March 1, allowing three home runs in 2 2/3 innings pitched. The game, played at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona, marked Imanaga’s second start of the spring, and while he showcased a fastball reaching 94 mph, the long ball proved to be his undoing. This comes as Imanaga adjusts to Major League Baseball after signing with the Cubs this offseason.
Imanaga surrendered a solo home run to Keelo in the first inning, his first earned run in spring training. He continued to struggle in the second, giving up another solo shot to B. Montgomery. The third inning saw him allow a home run to Hayes, leading to his removal from the game after 47 pitches. He finished with three earned runs on four hits and one strikeout.
The performance comes with added scrutiny as Imanaga aims to improve his home run prevention, a key area of focus after allowing 31 home runs last season. The Cubs are closely watching his progress as he adapts to the American game. The game as well featured a matchup against Anthony Kay, formerly of the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, who pitched 2 2/3 innings for the White Sox, allowing only one run.
Imanaga’s Struggles and the Challenge of Home Run Prevention
The three home runs allowed by Imanaga represent a significant challenge as he prepares for the regular season. Addressing this issue is paramount for the right-hander, who is expected to be a key part of the Cubs’ pitching rotation. He acknowledged after the game that his performance required reflection, stating, “Resultingly, I gave up three home runs. I need to reflect on whether it was the type of pitch, the location, or both.” Nikkan Sports reported Imanaga also emphasized the importance of quality over quantity in his pitching, noting, “My challenge is to not throw too many strikes, but I have to get them in the zone. I need to improve the quality of each pitch.”
今永昇太に新人の“洗礼” メジャー恒例の仮装姿が笑える「ショウタの足…笑」https://t.co/qJq9q9q9q9
— Yahoo!ニュース速報 (@Yahoo_News_JP) March 2, 2026
Kay’s Performance and the DeNA Connection
The game also featured a familiar face for Imanaga in Anthony Kay, who previously played for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars for two seasons. Kay pitched 2 2/3 innings, conceding a solo home run to Bregman but otherwise limiting the damage. The contrast in their performances highlighted the adjustments both pitchers are making as they transition to new leagues and teams. Yahoo! News Japan noted the head-to-head matchup between the former DeNA teammates.
Other Notable Results from MLB Spring Training
Beyond the Cubs-White Sox game, several other spring training contests took place on March 1. Notable results included a 5-3 victory for the Braves over the Rays, a 5-3 win for the Yankees against the Phillies, and an 8-7 Orioles victory over the Red Sox. Mookie Betts of the Dodgers made his spring debut, batting in the leadoff spot in a 4-3 loss to the Angels. Baseball Post provided a comprehensive overview of the day’s results.
Open Spring Training Results (March 1)
- Braves 5 – 3 Rays
- Yankees 5 – 3 Phillies
- Orioles 8 – 7 Red Sox
- Blue Jays 4 – 4 Tigers
- Braves 2 – 2 Twins
- Marlins 3 – 0 Nationals
- Pirates 6 – 1 Cardinals
- Mets 4 – 3 Astros
- Royals 3 – 1 Brewers
- Guardians 8 – 3 Rockies
- White Sox 5 – 1 Cubs
- Dodgers 4 – 3 Angels
- Athletics 12 – 4 Reds
- Giants 9 – 1 Padres
- Rangers 9 – 4 Mariners
- Diamondbacks 9 – 6 Guardians
Imanaga’s next scheduled appearance will be closely watched as he continues to refine his approach and prepare for the start of the MLB season. The Cubs will be looking for him to build on his experience and demonstrate the potential that led to his signing with the team. The team has not yet announced a date for his next start.
The Cubs’ spring training schedule continues with games against various opponents throughout March, providing further opportunities for evaluation and preparation. Fans can find the full schedule and updates on the team’s official website.
If you are experiencing anxiety or stress related to sports performance or general well-being, resources are available. You can reach the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or visit their website at https://www.nami.org/.
The Cubs will continue to assess Imanaga’s progress throughout spring training, with the regular season opener scheduled for March 28th against the Brewers. Stay tuned for further updates as the team finalizes its roster and prepares for the challenges ahead. Share your thoughts on Imanaga’s spring performance in the comments below.
