Shota Imanaga begins comeback tour after playoff disappointment

Shota Imanaga returned to the Cubs on a one-year qualifying offer and threw two scoreless innings in a Cactus League exhibition, with his fastball averaging about 93 mph.

Shota Imanaga is back with the Chicago Cubs for spring work after a postseason sequence and offseason contract decisions. The Cubs declined a three-year option, Imanaga initially declined to stay, and he later accepted the team's one-year qualifying offer. In a Cactus League exhibition at Sloan Park he threw two scoreless innings and showed a fastball average near 93 mph. He spent the offseason on mechanical work, visited a pitching lab and elected to remain with the team instead of pitching in the World Baseball Classic. Key facts: - The Cubs did not use Imanaga in the decisive Game 5 of the wild-card series and had used an opener ahead of him during the round. - The club declined a three-year, $57.75 million option; Imanaga ultimately accepted a one-year qualifying offer worth $22.025 million. - In a Cactus League game he threw two scoreless innings and his fastball averaged about 93 mph. - A strained left hamstring earlier in the season sidelined him for nearly two months and affected his lower-body mechanics. - Imanaga visited the Cressey Sports Performance pitching lab during the offseason and stayed in contact with the Cubs' pitching coaches. - Coaches have discussed pitch adjustments, including expanding his sweeper, emphasizing the curveball and trying a different sinker grip. Summary: Imanaga's early live work in Arizona produced encouraging signs and he has been engaged in offseason mechanical work with both private specialists and the Cubs' staff. The club's leadership said there were no hard feelings from the contract process and that they would welcome him back while discussing pitch development. Undetermined at this time.