Overview
- Shōta Imanaga allowed three solo home runs in 2.2 innings on 47 pitches in Mesa, with Edgar Quero, Austin Hays and Braden Montgomery going deep in a 5-1 loss.
- Counsell said the first homer came on a quality pitch and cited sequencing on the others, noting Imanaga’s fastball averaged 92.7 mph and touched 94, above last year’s norm.
- Alex Bregman supplied Chicago’s lone run with his first Cubs homer and also doubled and walked before his expected departure to join Team USA for the World Baseball Classic.
- After the game, the Cubs claimed infielder Ben Cowles off waivers from the Blue Jays and placed right-hander Shelby Miller on the 60-day injured list to clear a 40-man spot.
- Coaches and players pointed to small-sample caution on a hot, hitter-friendly day in Mesa, as the team heads to Goodyear with Jameson Taillon slated to start before joining Team Canada for the WBC.