Chicago manager Craig Counsell said Monday that the Japanese pitcher would pitch one of the two games on March 18-19. Imanaga allowed 3 runs in 11 innings in two starts against LA in 2024.
When the Dodgers start their regular season with two games against the Cubs on March 18-19 at the Tokyo Dome, plenty of Japanese stars will be on display between the two teams.
Shohei Ohtani is coming off his third MVP award, and the Dodgers also have Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki in their planned starting rotation. The Cubs have Shota Imanaga in their rotation as well as outfielder Seiya Suzuki on their said.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters on Monday in Mesa, Arizona that Imanaga would start one of the two games in Tokyo. From Jordan Bastain of MLB.com:
“Shota’s going to pitch in Japan,” Counsell said. “I think that’s mandated, kind of. I don’t think I have a choice, actually.”
The Dodgers haven’t yet revealed their pitching plans for the Tokyo Series, but with Yamamoto on staff and Sasaki in the rotation from the start of his first MLB season, it’s a safe bet the team will have a Japanese starting pitcher for at least one those games as well.
Ohtani remains the biggest attraction for that series, and in the sport for that matter, though given his rehab from September 2023 Tommy John surgery — his second such procedure — he won’t be ready to pitch by mid-March. Ohtani does expect to be able to hit by the games in Japan, after surgery on November 5 to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.
Ohtani’s two-way skills were on display on Monday at Camelback Ranch, the first day Dodgers pitchers and catchers officially reported to camp. The club posted a sizzle reel of Ohtani both hitting and pitching, a promise of things to come in 2025.
Pitcher and designated hitter, Shohei Ohtani. pic.twitter.com/g4iJdcnaBI
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 10, 2025