Source: Cubs, Japan’s Imanaga working on deal

Published

2 years ago

January 10, 2024

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Jan 9, 2024, 08:46 PM ET

Japanese left-hander Shota Imanaga and the Chicago Cubs are working toward an agreement, a source told ESPN’s Jesse Rogers on Tuesday.

Imanaga, 30, excelled during eight seasons with the Yokohama Bay Stars in the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization, going 74-55 with a 2.96 ERA and striking out 1,183 in 1,129⅔ innings.

While his fastball averages only 92 mph, Imanaga generates a significant amount of carry on the pitch, leading to the gaudy strikeout numbers and general effectiveness not often seen in someone who stands 5-foot-10.

In 2023, Imanaga, recognizable for throwback-style high socks, posted a 2.80 ERA and had nearly an 8-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio, punching out 174 and walking just 24 in 148 innings. He throws a variety of pitches — in addition to the fastball, he’s got a splitter, a traditional slider, a sweeper, a curveball, a cutter and a straight changeup — though he could lessen his arsenal as he transitions to a different ball in MLB as well as more frequent starts.

Imanaga would fit near the top of the Cubs’ rotation behind ace Justin Steele. Jameson Taillon and Kyle Hendricks slot in next, with youngsters Jordan Wicks and Javier Assad in the mix at the back end.

Steele is under team control for several more years, while Taillon is on a long-term deal. Hendricks will be a free agent after the 2024 season.

Besides Wicks and Assad, the team is also banking on its farm system to keep churning out young pitchers, as highly touted prospects Cade Horton and Ben Brown could make their way to the big leagues next season.

The move would easily be the Cubs’ largest of the winter, as they were only showing up on the transactions page via minor league signings, outside of backup catcher Brian Serven, whom they claimed via the waiver wire from the Colorado Rockies.

The discussions with Imanaga come just days before Chicago’s annual winter fan convention, where the spotlight will be on new manager Craig Counsell.

Imanaga is seen as perhaps the best pitcher in the second tier of this free agent class, with countrymen Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto joining Blake Snell, Aaron Nola and Jordan Montgomery among the most sought-after arms.

Ohtani, the two-way star, agreed to a record-setting 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Yamamoto set a record for a Japanese player coming to the United States, receiving $325 million from the Dodgers over 12 seasons.

Imanaga started the World Baseball Classic final for Team Japan and earned the win in the finals against the U.S., allowing one run over two innings while Team USA starter Merrill Kelly gave up a pair of runs in 1⅓ innings. In six innings at the WBC, Imanaga allowed two runs on seven hits with no walks and seven strikeouts.

USA Today Sports first reported the progression in talks between Imanaga and the Cubs.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan contributed to this report.

Sports

Oklahoma DE Thomas unlikely to play vs. Bama

Published

5 hours ago

November 15, 2025

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Oklahoma DE Thomas unlikely to play vs. Bama

Nov 15, 2025, 08:56 AM ET

Oklahoma defensive end R Mason Thomas is unlikely to play against Alabama on Saturday because of a quad injury.

A final decision on Thomas’ availability isn’t expected until game time, sources told ESPN’s Pete Thamel, but he is listed as doubtful on the SEC availability report.

Thomas suffered the injury while returning a fumble 71 yards for a touchdown during the Sooners’ Nov. 1 win over Tennessee.

Oklahoma’s best defensive player, Thomas has a team-leading 6.5 sacks this season along with two forced fumbles and the scoop-and-score fumble recovery.

Starting cornerback Gentry Williams is also doubtful to play against the Crimson Tide. He is set to miss a third straight game with a shoulder injury suffered Oct. 18 against South Carolina.

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Sources: Wisconsin turns to freshman QB vs. IU

Published

5 hours ago

November 15, 2025

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Sources: Wisconsin turns to freshman QB vs. IU

ESPN News Services

Nov 15, 2025, 08:35 AM ET

Wisconsin will start true freshman quarterback Carter Smith at No. 2 Indiana on Saturday, sources told ESPN’s Pete Thamel, replacing Danny O’Neil after the sophomore was carted off the field with a right leg injury last week.

O’Neil was injured on a 21-yard keeper during the first quarter of last Saturday’s 13-10 win over then-No. 23 Washington. He had a towel over his head as he was carted to the locker room.

Smith made his season debut following O’Neil’s injury, completing 3 of 12 passes for 8 yards while rushing for 47 yards and a touchdown.

Also available to the Badgers at quarterback is senior Hunter Simmons, who is 48-for-95 for 485 yards with two touchdowns and five interceptions this season.

For Indiana, wide receiver Elijah Sarratt is doubtful to play, sources said. Sarratt, who is tied for the Big Ten lead with 10 touchdown receptions, injured his hamstring against Maryland on Nov. 1 and missed the Penn State game last week.

With Indiana having a bye next week, Sarratt is on track to return against Purdue on Nov. 28.

Quarterback issues have hindered Wisconsin all season and throughout coach Luke Fickell’s three-year tenure.

Billy Edwards Jr. was Wisconsin’s first-team quarterback at the start of the season, but he sprained his knee in the second quarter of the Badgers’ opener and has played only one full series since.

Tanner Mordecai missed 3½ games with a broken hand in 2023. Miami transfer Tyler Van Dyke tore his ACL in the third game of the 2024 season.

Wisconsin’s intended season-opening starting quarterback has been available for the entirety of only 11 of the 34 games the Badgers have played since the beginning of the 2023 season. The last time Fickell had his season-opening starting quarterback healthy for a full game was in a 27-13 victory over South Dakota on Sept. 7, 2024.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Sports

Sources: UCLA QB Iamaleava out vs. Ohio State

Published

5 hours ago

November 15, 2025

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Sources: UCLA QB Iamaleava out vs. Ohio State

Nov 15, 2025, 07:54 AM ET

UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava will not play Saturday against No. 1 Ohio State because of a concussion, sources confirmed to ESPN.

Iamaleava was injured during last week’s loss to Nebraska. He began experiencing concussion symptoms after the game, according to On3, which first reported that Iamaleava would not play.

With Iamaleava out, redshirt sophomore Luke Duncan will make his first career start. Duncan has not attempted a pass in college as he tries to take down the top-ranked Buckeyes.

Iamaleava has thrown for 1,659 yards with 12 touchdowns and 7 interceptions in his first year with the Bruins after transferring from Tennessee.

He led UCLA to three straight wins in October, including a victory over then-No. 7 Penn State, but the Bruins (3-6) have lost two straight and need to win out to become bowl eligible.