TOKYO – Cubs opener Julian Merryweather needed just six pitches to get through the first inning.

“It’s nice to not have to think about injuries and pain when you’re pitching,” Merryweather said after throwing a perfect inning in the Cubs’ 3-0 loss to the Hanshin Tigers in an exhibition game Saturday. “So, been able to really get back to what I’ve been working on my whole career, working on my mechanics, repeatable delivery. So when that’s my focus, I feel like that’s when I’m at my best. And we’re definitely setting a good foundation.”

Injuries dominated Merryweather’s 2024 season. He appeared in just 14 games, first sidelined by a shoulder strain and then knee tendinitis. And even when he was on the mound, posting a 6.60 ERA, he was battling on-and-off knee pain.

“He is an important reliever for us this year,” manager Craig Counsell said. “The volatility of relievers is very well documented, and the season he had in ‘23 is one that we need to try to get back. That would be a really important development for us. And so far this spring, I think we’re closer to that version than the 2024 version.”

That 2023 version was effective in high leverage and reliable down the stretch as the team’s bullpen depth thinned due to injury. He had a career year in his first with the Cubs.

“It is amazing to have him back healthy,” catcher Miguel Amaya said. “… He’s a nice piece for us, and looking forward for him to have an amazing season.”

The Cubs used nine pitchers on Saturday. And they plan to have starters Jameson Taillon and Matthew Boyd cover most if not all of their second exhibition game Sunday evening Japan time against the Yomiuri Giants. That will give those who threw Saturday two days of rest before opening the regular season against the Dodgers.

Rea touches down in Tokyo

Right-hander Colin Rea, being used out of the bullpen in Japan and therefore not guaranteed to pitch, wanted to make sure he continued his ramp-up. So, he stayed behind in Arizona when the Cubs left for Tokyo on Tuesday night. And after throwing five innings in a minor-league camp game, he followed, arriving Saturday morning.

It ended up being quite the day. Rea, who played a season and a half in Japan, caught the ceremonial first pitch from Masanori Murakami, the first Japanese-born player to break into MLB.

Murakami, now 80 years old, debuted for the San Francisco Giants on Sept. 1, 1964, making history.

Hodge honing splitter

Reliever Porter Hodge, vying for the closer role, made throwing his splitter a priority this spring. It was a pitch he learned midway through the 2023 season. But he only threw it eight times last year, according to Statcast, in an impressive debut season.

“Obviously my bread and butter is my fastball, slider,” Hodge said. “So just mixing in the splitter to make those two pitches better.”

On Saturday, he threw it twice.