Cubs Confident Shota Imanaga Can Return To Form: A Key Player in Chicago’s Quest for the World Series

After a meteoric rise in his first full season in Major League Baseball, Shota Imanaga, the left-handed pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, seemed poised for greatness. His first All-Star appearance, a fourth-place finish in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, and a fifth-place spot in the National League Cy Young voting all served as a testament to his potential as a future ace for the Cubs.

In the wake of his breakout 2024 season, expectations skyrocketed. The 2025 season seemed to be Imanaga’s moment to shine as he was named the Cubs’ Opening Day starter against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Tokyo, where the Cubs were hoping to bring home an early victory for their fans. However, the journey to his second season in the league wasn’t as smooth as many had hoped.

A Bumpy Road in 2025: Hamstring Injury and Regression

Unfortunately, the 2025 season wasn’t kind to Imanaga. While the year began with great promise, it wasn’t long before he was sidelined by a hamstring injury that set him back. The injury was a significant blow, one that left fans and the coaching staff questioning how he would recover. When he did return to the mound, he struggled to regain the form he had shown earlier, culminating in one of the most difficult stretches of his career.

Imanaga’s numbers in the second half of 2025 were alarming. With a 5.17 ERA, the Japanese pitcher ranked as one of the worst starters in the league. Out of all the qualified pitchers from July 25 onward, his ERA was the seventh-highest. More concerning was the fact that he allowed 20 home runs during that period, the most in all of Major League Baseball. These struggles caused many to question whether the Cubs had made a mistake by placing so much faith in the left-hander after such a stellar debut season.

A Steadfast Decision: The Cubs’ Confidence in Imanaga

Despite Imanaga’s second-half regression, the Cubs’ front office made a bold decision. In the offseason, the Cubs extended a $22.025 million qualifying offer to the pitcher, which he accepted, ensuring that Imanaga would return for the 2026 season. This decision was met with mixed reactions, but it also sent a clear message: the Cubs firmly believed in the potential of Imanaga to bounce back and become a key player in their pursuit of a World Series title.

It’s easy to focus on the struggles of Imanaga’s 2025 campaign—a campaign where manager Craig Counsell couldn’t even rely on him in a crucial, must-win Game 5 against the Brewers in the Divisional Round. However, the Cubs remain confident that the left-hander can return to his elite form. Manager Craig Counsell, speaking at spring training in Arizona, reiterated his faith in Imanaga.

“I’m very excited for Shota to have an outstanding season,” Counsell said to reporters. “He is going to respond to the things that happened at the end of the year. He wasn’t happy with how he pitched. That’s what great competitors do. They respond to things like that, and he will absolutely respond. I’m confident in that.”

Counsell’s words should not be underestimated. He has seen Imanaga at his best, and with a new season on the horizon, there’s every reason to believe that the pitcher will make the necessary adjustments to reclaim his spot as a top-tier arm in the Cubs’ rotation.

A Glimpse of the Good: The First Half of 2025

Before the injury and the subsequent struggles, Imanaga showed exactly why he was considered one of the most exciting pitchers in baseball. In the first half of the 2025 season, he posted a 2.82 ERA, a figure that placed him among the top pitchers in the league. During this stretch, he struck out 34 batters over 44⅔ innings and even went on a stretch where he allowed one run or fewer in five of his eight starts. For a pitcher in his second year, these numbers were nothing short of impressive.

But the injury to his hamstring in early May proved to be a turning point. While Imanaga looked strong upon his return from the 15-day injured list, it wasn’t long before his inconsistency started to surface again. A frustrating series of outings led to a significant loss of confidence in both his performance and his ability to stay healthy throughout the season.

“I feel like my body got weaker,” Imanaga admitted in a recent conversation in Arizona, speaking through an interpreter. “I talked to Counsell after the season last year. We talked about how the first year went well, second year I got punched in the mouth. You have to make your adjustments.”

This candid reflection reveals much about the pitcher’s mindset. The disappointment in his second season clearly weighs on him, but it’s also a clear sign that Imanaga is ready to make the necessary adjustments to get back on track. The question remains: Can he do it? Can he return to the pitcher he was in his debut season and leave the struggles of 2025 behind him?

The Key to Success: Adjustments and Health

As Imanaga heads into the 2026 season, all eyes will be on his ability to make adjustments to his game. The biggest area that needs improvement is his swing-and-miss rate. In 2025, his whiff rate on his four-seam fastball dropped to just 15.9%, and his splitter saw a similar decline, with only 32.4% of hitters swinging and missing at his pitches. This was a marked difference from his rookie year when his whiff rates were much higher.

His average fastball velocity also saw a decline, dropping from 91.5 mph in 2024 to just 90.8 mph in 2025. While this may seem like a small dip, it’s significant for a pitcher who relies on precision and control rather than overpowering speed. The hamstring injury likely played a role in this decrease in velocity, as a weaker body often affects the ability to generate the same power on pitches.

For Imanaga, 2026 represents a prove-it season. At 32 years old, this may be his last chance to show that he can return to the form that made him a key part of the Cubs’ future plans. After accepting the qualifying offer, Imanaga is set to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason, making this season critical not only for his career but also for the Cubs’ hopes of a World Series run.

The Cubs are fully aware of the importance of this season for Imanaga, but they are also confident that he can deliver. The team has high expectations for their starting pitcher, knowing that his performance could be the difference between a playoff berth and a deep postseason run or another early exit.

A Big Year Ahead

As Shota Imanaga enters 2026, the Cubs’ hopes for a World Series title depend, in part, on his ability to bounce back from a difficult season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the left-hander can return to the dominant force he was in his rookie season. The stakes are high, and this season may very well be the defining year of Imanaga’s career.

With a strong spring training performance, adjustments to his mechanics, and better overall health, Imanaga could very well prove his critics wrong and become the pitcher the Cubs need for a postseason push. The team remains optimistic that he will respond in the way that all great competitors do—with resilience, determination, and the desire to be better than ever. For Cubs fans, the hope is that Imanaga’s story will be one of redemption, a narrative that propels the team toward their ultimate goal: a World Series championship.

Imanaga’s future is in his hands, and this season will determine whether the Cubs’ gamble will pay off. The 32-year-old lefty must rise to the occasion, overcome his struggles, and reclaim his spot as a star in the Cubs’ rotation.

The road ahead is not easy, but if anyone has the heart and determination to rise to the challenge, it’s Shota Imanaga. Stay tuned—this is a season you won’t want to miss.