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.”
The three solo shots accounted for the three runs Imanaga surrendered in 2⅔ innings. He pushed his pitch count up to 47. His fastball velocity sat at 92.7 mph, nearly 1 mph above his 2025 average, according to Statcast. He touched 94 mph.
“I focus on what the average velo is,” Imanaga said through his interpreter. “You can throw 94 in the first, but what matters is when you’re in the seventh, eighth, you’re in a tough situation, [and] you can bring the velo up and execute a tough pitch. That’s what I try to think about.”
Each homer Sunday came on a different pitch. The White Sox’ Edgar Quero got to a high heater above the strike zone. Austin Hays golfed out a splitter. Lenyn Sosa turned on a belt-high sinker.
“I go out there and try to keep them scoreless,” Imanaga said. “And obviously [Sunday], that wasn’t the case.”
PitchCom usage
Although he isn’t fully calling his own games, Imanaga has been experimenting this spring with making pitch calls from the mound. The PitchCom device attached to the back of his glove opens up two-way communication with the catcher.
“We’re not really doing game-planning in spring training like you would in a traditional regular-season game,” Counsell said. “The purpose of using PitchCom for Shota is really just to give himself a little more time. So he’s experimenting with that part of it and how it does or doesn’t give him more time.”
In theory, the setup could limit the back and forth when a pitcher shakes off a call from a catcher — extra seconds that are more important in the pitch-clock era.
Alcántara in the outfield
Kevin Alcántara made his first outfield appearance of the spring on Monday, delayed slightly by his recovery from offseason hernia surgery. Over four plate appearances against the Reds, he got his first hit, a single through the left side of the field, and drew a walk.
The towering right-handed hitter eased into action Saturday as the designated hitter. Counsell lauded his swing adjustments.
“The thing that’s impressive about Kevin is he’s hitting the ball really hard right now, almost different from everybody else taking batting practice,” Counsell said. “That’s going to work.”
Reds 17, Cubs 9
The Cubs (4-7) set a new high for this spring training with nine runs scored in their first matchup against a National League Central opponent. Unfortunately for them, the Reds still managed a
blowout victory.
• Cubs starter Jameson Taillon has surrendered two home runs in each of his three starts. On Monday, he allowed six runs in 2 ⅓ innings.
• Left-hander Ryan Rolison entered after Taillon and also struggled, surrendering six runs without getting an out.
• Catcher Moises Ballesteros got his first and second hits, as well as a pair of RBI, in his second spring training appearance and his first behind the plate.
On deck: Team Italy at Cubs, 2:05 p.m. Tuesday, Mesa, TBD vs. Cade Horton.
