Shota Imanaga: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Chicago Cubs News / Chicago Cubs on SI / December 4

MLB Insider Confirms Whether The Cubs Are A Player For Tatsuya Imai

Free agency is well underway, and while there are many starting pitchers who are up for grabs, there are fewer that fit the profile the Chicago Cubs are looking for as they try to bolster their starting rotation.

MLB News / ChiCitySports / December 4

Cubs sign ex-Phillies player, just not the one fans were hoping for

This off-season the Chicago Cubs have been rumored to be in the starting pitching market, despite Shota Imanaga accepting the qualifying offer and returning on a one year deal.

Chicago Cubs News / Chicago Cubs on SI / November 25

Cubs Named Perfect Landing Spot For Former Cy Young Runner-Up

It was no secret that the Chicago Cubs had major struggles with the depth in their starting rotation in 2025. They lost Justin Steele early in the year to Tommy John surgery, and Shota Imanaga definitely did not look like the 15-3 pitcher from 2024, especially in the second half of the season.

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Chicago Cubs News / CBSSports.com / November 23

MLB rumors: Giants have interest in NPB ace, Cubs still plan to add pitching after Shota Imanaga's return

Here are Sunday's biggest MLB rumors

Athletics News / Yardbarker

25 MLB players on the brink of stardom in 2026

The stars were out in full force during the 2025 World Series. From Max Scherzer in Toronto to Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and of course, Shohei Ohtani, in Los Angeles, there was no shortage of the game's best under the brightest lights.

Chicago Cubs News / Bleed Cubbie Blue / November 20

Chicago Cubs news and notes — Imanaga, Tucker, Bellinger

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Chicago Cubs News / MLB on ClutchPoints / November 19

Cubs rumors: Insider sees Chicago adding another starter after Shota Imanaga decision

The Chicago Cubs may not be done upgrading their rotation. Despite left-hander Shota Imanaga accepting the team’s qualifying offer this week, MLB Network insider Jon Morosi believes the Cubs will still pursue another high-end starter before the conclusion of the 2025 MLB offseason.

Chicago Cubs News / ChiCitySports / November 19

Chicago Cubs bummed by player deciding to return in 2026: Report

On Tuesday, starting left-handed pitcher Shota Imanaga signed a one-year $22 million qualifying with the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs chose not to pick up his three-year option at the start of the offseason following a disastrous showing in the postseason, giving up an 8.10 ERA in two games pitched (6.2 innings).

Chicago Cubs News / ChiCitySports / November 19

Chicago Cubs: Why Imanaga’s return dooms the Cubs to a mediocre winter

The Chicago Cubs are definitely okay with Shota Imanaga being back in the starting rotation for 2026. They wouldn’t have extended him the $22 million qualifying offer if they weren’t.

Chicago Cubs News / Chicago Cubs on SI / November 19

Cubs Add Trio Of Prospects To 40-Man Roster

With free agency in full swing and the Rule 5 deadline happening yesterday, the Chicago Cubs have added additional players to their roster for next season.

Chicago Cubs News / ChiCitySports / November 19

Chicago Cubs add MiLB Gold Glove award winner and 2 others to 40-man roster

The Chicago Cubs were busy on Tuesday, November 18. News surrounding Shota Imanaga accepting the qualifying offer stole the headlines, but the organization also added three prospects to their 40-man roster, thus protecting them from December’s Rule 5 draft.

MLB News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest pitching seasons from the modern MLB era

America's favorite pastime has more memorable performances than any sport. As such, figuring out which pitchers had the best seasons ever is no easy task.

Chicago Cubs News / ChiCitySports / November 18

Chicago Cubs bring back star player for 2026 in offseason surprise

The Chicago Cubs entered the offseason unsure of what the roster would look like for 2026 after making an aggressive push in 2025. The Cubs made a splash last year when they traded with the Houston Astros for right fielder Kyle Tucker.

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MLB News / CBSSports.com / November 18

Shota Imanaga, Trent Grisham among record four players to accept 2025 qualifying offer; nine others decline

The four players will return to their teams on a one-year, $22.205 million deal for 2026

Chicago Cubs News / MLB Trade Rumors / November 18

Shota Imanaga to accept Cubs' qualifying offer in surprising move

Shota Imanaga isn't going anywhere after all.

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Chicago Cubs News / Bleed Cubbie Blue / November 13

Chicago Cubs news and notes — Hoyer, Imanaga, Imai

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Chicago Cubs News / ChiCitySports / November 12

Chicago Cubs exec possibly tips hand at GM meetings regarding Shota Imanaga ploy

Could the Chicago Cubs be playing a game of high-stakes chess when it comes to pitcher Shota Imanaga? It’s certainly looking that way. Early last week, the Cubs made headlines when they declined their team option on the lefty starter, which would’ve activated a 3-year, $57 million extension.

Chicago Cubs News / MLB Trade Rumors / November 12

Cubs expected to prioritize pitching additions in offseason

The Cubs are headed into this offseason prioritizing pitching additions, as president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer told reporters on Tuesday.

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Toronto Blue Jays News / Bluejaysnation / November 11

Blue Jays 2025 free agent target: Shota Imanaga

The Blue Jays’ offseason is officially underway, and many are wondering ways they can improve their starting rotation. With Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, Trey Yesavage, and Jose Berrios the leading arms heading into the new year, there is still room to make the rotation that much better.

Chicago Cubs News / ChiCitySports / November 10

Chicago Cubs and Shota Imanaga might still reunite after all

The Chicago Cubs are looking at the loss of two major players in their roster this offseason– and they don’t seem all that concerned about it. Kyle Tucker, of course, is the biggest name to be lost.

Chicago Cubs News / Just Baseball / November 10

Top Landing Spots for Free Agent Shota Imanaga

After a fantastic rookie campaign, the very thought of Chicago Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga becoming a free agent so fast didn’t exist. It loomed like a dark cloud, but he appeared the steal of last offseason.

MLB News / Texas Rangers on SI / November 9

Rangers Face Difficulty in Potential Pursuit of Cubs Star Shota Imanaga

On paper, the Texas Rangers have a solid starting rotation for 2026. Or at least the makings of one. Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi and Jack Leiter are all expected back and are expected to take the top three spots.

Chicago Cubs News / MLB on ClutchPoints / November 9

3 teams that should steal Shota Imanaga away from Cubs

The free agency market just welcomed one of its most intriguing available arms—and the Chicago Cubs inexplicably let him walk. Shota Imanaga, the 32-year-old Japanese left-handed starter who dazzled in his rookie MLB campaign, is now available after both sides declined their respective options.

Chicago Cubs News / Chicago Cubs on SI / November 8

Cubs Could See Next Japanese Ace As Shota Imanaga Replacement

The Chicago Cubs could be without one of their best starting pitchers next season, given that Shota Imanaga declined his one-year, $15 million player option earlier this week, which was the byproduct of the Cubs declining a team option to extend Imanaga's contract for three more seasons and $57 million.

Chicago Cubs News / Yardbarker / November 5