Cubs Manager Counsell Blunt About Pitcher Imanaga's Home Run Issues

Counsell acknowledges Imanaga's tendency to give up long balls, raising concerns about his postseason viability.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:39pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball pitcher's throwing motion broken down into overlapping geometric shapes and planes in muted blue, grey, and brown tones, conveying the complexities of a pitcher who struggles with home runs.A deconstructed, geometric interpretation of a Cubs pitcher's delivery highlights the complexities of managing a pitcher prone to giving up home runs.Chicago Today

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell made candid comments about starting pitcher Shota Imanaga's struggles with home runs, stating that the left-hander is simply 'going to give up home runs' due to the nature of his pitching style. Imanaga, who was signed from Japan's NPB league, has already allowed a home run in his first outing of the season against the Washington Nationals.

Why it matters

Counsell's blunt assessment of Imanaga's home run issues raises questions about the pitcher's long-term viability, especially in high-pressure postseason situations where limiting big hits can make the difference between winning and losing.

The details

In his first start of the 2026 season, Imanaga gave up 4 earned runs on 6 hits, including a home run, over 5 innings against the Nationals. Counsell acknowledged that Imanaga is prone to surrendering home runs, saying 'Shota is going to give up home runs. It's kind of the nature of the pitcher he is.' However, Counsell expressed concern over 'those three-run home runs' that can 'change the game'.

  • Imanaga made his first start of the 2026 MLB season on March 30, 2026.

The players

Craig Counsell

The manager of the Chicago Cubs baseball team.

Shota Imanaga

A left-handed starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs who was signed from Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league.

Washington Nationals

The MLB team that played against the Cubs in Imanaga's first start of the 2026 season.

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What they’re saying

“Shota is going to give up home runs. It's kind of the nature of the pitcher he is. But the three-run home runs, you have to prevent those because those are game-changing swings.”

— Craig Counsell, Manager, Chicago Cubs

The takeaway

Counsell's frank assessment of Imanaga's home run tendencies raises concerns about the pitcher's long-term viability, especially in high-pressure postseason situations where limiting big hits can be the difference between winning and losing. The Cubs will need to find ways to mitigate Imanaga's home run issues if they hope to make a deep playoff run.