CUBS’ SHOTA IMANAGA HIT WITH 1-YEAR SUSPENSION FOR VIOLATING TEAM POLICIES”
CHICAGO, IL – The Chicago Cubs announced today that relief pitcher Shota Imanaga has been suspended for the remainder of the season and the entire 2024 campaign after violating team policies. The 31-year-old Japanese-born pitcher was placed on the restricted list and will be eligible to return to the team in March 2024.
According to sources, Imanaga’s suspension stems from a series of off-field incidents, including allegations of misconduct and insubordination towards coaches and teammates. The team has not disclosed specific details of the incidents, but it’s understood that the issues have been ongoing for several months.
“We take these matters very seriously and have taken swift action to address the situation,” said Cubs General Manager Jed Hoyer in a statement. “We expect all of our players to uphold the highest standards of conduct and respect for their teammates and coaches. Shota has fallen short of those expectations and will be required to meet certain conditions before he can rejoin the team.”
Imanaga, who signed with the Cubs as a free agent in the offseason, has been a key contributor to the team’s bullpen, posting a 3.15 ERA in 25 appearances this season. His suspension is a significant blow to the Cubs’ playoff hopes, as they currently trail the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers by 5 games.
The team has not yet announced who will replace Imanaga on the active roster, but it’s expected that a call-up from Triple-A Iowa will be made in the coming days.
