Chicago Cubs starter Shota Imanaga continued to show an encouraging increase in velocity during his second spring training start.
Imanaga, though, got burned by three home runs in 2 2/3 innings Sunday versus the White Sox, while the offense didn’t get much going. Right-hander Jameson Taillon gets the ball Monday against the Reds in his final tune-up before joining Team Canada for the World Baseball Classic.
The Sox continued to show some power in a 5-1 victory on Sunday, getting solo home runs from Edgar Quero, Braden Montgomery, Austin Hays and Lenyn Sosa against the Cubs. The Sox have 14 home runs this spring, tied for fifth in the majors.
Every Monday during spring training, Tribune baseball writers will provide an update on what happened — and what’s ahead — for the Cubs and White Sox.
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Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman slugs first spring home run ahead of WBC departure
Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman stands at the plate in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Sloan Park on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
As Cubs camp experiences a bunch of departures with eight players from their 40-man roster leaving for the World Baseball Classic this week, third baseman Alex Bregman went out with a bang in his last Cactus League game.
Bregman, who joins Team USA on Monday for the squad’s first workout, took White Sox lefty Anthony Kay deep to center field on a 2-2 elevated fastball in the bottom of the first inning during the Cubs’ 5-1 loss Sunday at Sloan Park. Bregman later doubled off Kay in the third inning and drew a walk in his final plate appearance.
“I felt good,” Bregman said afterward. “I was fortunate to square a few up and also have good swing decisions in the last at-bat and take the walk. I feel like that’s a big part of my game is trying to swing at good pitches to hit, so really locking in on that and focusing on that, even here in spring training to prepare for the season.”
The veteran third baseman has looked good at the plate so far this spring. Through five games, Bregman is 5-for-11 with two doubles, one home run, one RBI, three walks and no strikeouts.
“It’s been great to get to know all the guys and really looking forward to having a great year with them,” Bregman said. “I feel like our team’s in a really good place right now. Guys are focused and locked in, ready for the season and preparing every day. It’s a great group and I’m very excited, and I think it’s gonna be a fun year.”
Sox infielder Chase Meidroth back in the swing after productive offseason
A Chicago White Sox hitting coach works with infielder Chase Meidroth during spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Infielder Chase Meidroth’s 114 hits last season were the sixth-most for a Sox rookie since 2000.
Meidroth got right back in the swing of things with a double in his first Cactus League at-bat of 2026 on Feb. 21 against the Athletics.
“It’s fun getting back and playing with these guys again,” Meidroth told the Tribune on Friday at Camelback Ranch.
Meidroth had a .253/.329/.320 slash line with 15 doubles, five home runs and 23 RBIs in 122 games in 2025. He focused on his mobility during the offseason.
“To be able to play 162 this year, the durability is a tool for myself and everyone in here,” he said. “I did a lot of that. A little bit (of work) on my speed, get a little more motion on the bases for myself and put this team in some better spots there. Shorten my swing up at the plate and be as consistent as possible every day.”
Manager Will Venable said the work has been noticeable.
“He looks great, running, it looks like he’s faster,” Venable said on Feb. 16. “He looks more flexible and mobile and just functioning better. Credit to him.
“I talked to him throughout the offseason. I know some of the things he was working on and some of the approach to getting better. I think it really started with him understanding his body more and understanding the things he needed to do to shape his body differently, move differently. Really excited for Chase.”
Meidroth aims to see the long-term impact of the work.
“If you have yourself a really good offseason, it sets yourself up for the season very well,” Meidroth said. “Just continuing that work, staying in the weight room, staying in the training room, staying on top of everything, staying on top of your body, puts you in a good spot to play all the way through November.”
Number of the week: 9
Chicago White Sox’s Edgar Quero bats during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
White Sox catcher Edgar Quero has nine RBIs this spring, tied for the most in the majors as of Sunday.
Week ahead: Cubs
Chicago Cubs second baseman Pedro Ramírez tags out Chicago White Sox left fielder Tristan Peters in the second inning at Sloan Park on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Monday: at Reds, 2:05 p.m., Marquee
Tuesday: vs. Team Italy, 2:05 p.m.
Wednesday: at Brewers, 2:10 p.m., Marquee
Thursday: vs. Diamondbacks, 2:05 p.m.
Friday: at Padres, 7:10 p.m.
Saturday: vs. Athletics, 2:10 p.m., The Score
Pedro Ramírez’s defense at third base is putting the prospect on the Cubs’ radar.
The Cubs’ infield is largely set through this season, given the experience on their roster. But Ramírez, rated the Cubs’ No. 7 prospect by MLB.com, could provide depth by the end of the year. Ramírez won the minor-league Gold Glove Award at third base last season and was added to the 40-man roster in November to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.
Ramírez spent the entire 2025 season at Double-A Knoxville, where the 21-year-old Venezuelan hit .280 with a .346 on-base percentage and .732 OPS in 129 games.
“Putting defenders on the field is something we’re always trying to do, and Pedro has certainly shown early in his career that he can handle himself defensively,” manager Craig Counsell said Sunday.
Photos: Chicago Cubs on photo day at spring training
Counsell expects Ramírez, who predominantly played third and second base last year, to “expand his value” by moving around defensively this year.
“I think as you break into the big leagues, sometimes you’re not going to just be handed a position, you’re probably going to have to move around and where the opportunity happens is where you get to play,” Counsell said. “But the fact that he’s got that (Gold Glove Award) attached to him means he should be able to handle new positions and other positions.
“Your job is to kind of make us say after this camp, when something happens, we can call on you.”
Week ahead: White Sox
Chicago White Sox outfielder Braden Montgomery smiles on the field before playing against the Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Monday: vs. Giants, 2:05 p.m., webcast
Tuesday: vs. Padres, 2:05 p.m.
Wednesday: off
Thursday: vs. Guardians, 7:05 p.m.
Friday: at Diamondbacks, 2:10 p.m.
Saturday: at Mariners, 2:10 p.m., CHSN
Sunday: vs. Royals, 3:05 p.m., webcast
Braden Montgomery said Imanaga started him off with a “good-looking” sweeper during a second-inning at-bat on Sunday at Sloan Park.
Montgomery chased it for a swinging strike.
“I didn’t let that affect me,” Montgomery said. “I’m still anticipating he’s going to come see me in the zone.”
Montgomery got a pitch in the zone on a 1-1 count, and homered to left-center — his first of the spring.
Photos: An inside look at Chicago White Sox spring training
“He came back with that (sweeper) and I saw it up that time and put a good swing on it,” Montgomery said.
The outfielder — ranked the No. 36 prospect in baseball by MLB.com — had two hits Sunday. He tripled in the sixth inning. While he will likely begin the season in the minors, Montgomery could be in the mix to make a big-league debut at some point in 2026. The 22-year-old reached Double A last season.
He said Sunday’s home run was “just a result of the work we’ve been putting in and the time we’ve been spending out here with our hitting coaches and just in general. It was enjoyable.”
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Quotable
“He’s an extremely hard worker. He loves the game. He plays with a passion that’s contagious, and he brings an energy that is incredible to the room and is a superstar human being and player.” — Alex Bregman on Cubs teammate Pete Crow-Armstrong