The 2025 season was a rollercoaster for Cubs fans, especially when it came to Shōta Imanaga’s performance on the mound. Once a promising left-handed pitcher, Imanaga seemed to lose his edge, culminating in his absence from the crucial Game 5 of the NLDS. But there’s reason for optimism as Cubs manager Craig Counsell recently shed light on the situation, hinting at a potential comeback for Imanaga this year.

At first glance, Imanaga’s dip in performance might seem puzzling. He’s not a flamethrower, but in 2024, he was highly effective, boasting a 2.91 ERA over 29 starts with an average fastball speed of 91.9 mph. His ability to combine high fastballs with a wicked splitter kept hitters guessing, leading to a solid 25.1% strikeout rate over 173.1 innings.

Fast forward to 2025, and things changed. Imanaga’s fastball velocity dropped to 90.8 mph.

While it might not sound drastic, that drop had a significant impact. His ERA rose to 3.73, and his strikeout rate fell to 20.6%.

More concerning was the 31 home runs he allowed over 144.2 innings, marking the highest home run rate per nine innings in the league.

Counsell explained that Imanaga’s struggles were partly due to a hamstring injury that affected his mechanics and velocity. Early in the season, his fastball was still around 91.2 mph, but after returning from the injured list in late June, his velocity averaged just 90.3 mph. It slightly improved towards the end of the season, averaging 90.9 mph, but it was clear Imanaga wasn’t quite the same.

The good news? In spring training, Imanaga appears to be regaining his form, throwing harder and looking more like his 2024 self. This resurgence could be a game-changer for the Cubs in 2026.

Counsell’s insights into Imanaga’s velocity and mechanics provide a hopeful narrative for fans eager to see the lefty back in top form. With a renewed focus and improved health, Imanaga could be poised for a strong comeback, potentially anchoring the Cubs’ rotation once again.