The Cubs are expanding their pitching rotation.
, a left-handed Japanese pitcher, has agreed to terms with the team, The Post’s Jon Heyman announced Tuesday.
The news was first reported by USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, who stated that the agreement was provisional and that Imanaga will undergo a physical on Thursday.
The terms of the transaction were not immediately disclosed.
Imanaga, 30, has earned the nickname “The Throwing Philosopher” for his pitching abilities.
He has a 64-50 career record in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball and has been with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars since 2016. His ERA is 3.18.
He pitched six innings in last year’s World Baseball Classic, giving up two runs and striking out seven.
He has appeared in the NPB All-Star Game twice (2019 and 2023).
Heyma reported in December that the Yamamotoand Yankees were also interested in signing the pitcher.
The Yankees and Mets passed up on Japanese pitcher Shota Imanaga, who has signed with the Cubs.The Yankees and Mets passed up on Japanese pitcher Shota Imanaga, who has signed with the Cubs. Getty Images
The Mets and Yamamoto had also expressed interest in Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who signed a 12-year contract worth a record $325 million with the Dodgers last month.
There are several opt-out clauses in the agreement related to Yamamoto’s health.
The Cubs’ offseason has been rather quiet in terms of player acquisition, however they did grab free agent manager from the Brewers on a five-year, $40 million contract that leads the managerial market.
Shota Imanaga had piqued major league interest.Shota Imanaga had piqued major league interest. USA Today Sports
The Mets expressed “serious” interest in hiring Counsell as manager after he worked with the team’s new president of baseball operations, David Stearns, in Milwaukee.
“I think as I was going through this process, it became clear that I needed and wanted a new professional challenge,” Counsell told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
“At the same time, I am grateful to be a part of this group. And ideally this will continue, because it has nothing to do with baseball. I’m excited to be a part of a new community and perhaps have a positive impact on ours as well. But as
Last season, the Cubs went 83-79, finishing second in the NL Central but nine games behind the division-leading Brewers and one game out of a wild card slot.
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