MESA, Ariz. -- After
Brown generated 14 whiffs -- the most of any pitcher for the Cubs or Dodgers in Tuesday’s opener -- including 13 from his knuckle-curve, per Statcast. He sat at 95.5 mph with his fastball, topping out at 97.1 mph. Most of all, Brown continued to look healthy and primed to handle a prominent role for the North Siders.\n\nCounsell acknowledged on Saturday that Brown is very much in the mix for the fifth spot in the Cubs’ rotation.\n\n“He’s feeling really good,” Counsell said. “And I think that shows us some signs of being a really good Major League starting pitcher. If that’s the direction we go, that’s a pretty good \\[arm\\]. There’s some ceiling there, and it’ll be interesting to see what happens.”
Brown is currently slated to start Tuesday’s exhibition finale against the Braves, who are making a stop in Arizona en route to their season-opening series in San Diego. That will be his opportunity to give the Cubs’ decision-makers one final look to determine if he should be handed the lone rotation vacancy.\n\nIf the Cubs opt to hand the 25-year-old Brown the fifth spot -- behind Imanaga,
**Shota lined up for Game 3 vs. D-backs**\n\nGiven the exhausting nature of the trip to Japan for Imanaga -- who took the ball on Opening Day and had a gauntlet of near-daily media responsibilities -- the Cubs are extending him some runway to his next appearance.\n\nCounsell said on Saturday that Imanaga would not pitch in another Cactus League game this week, opting instead for a longer bullpen session. The lefty will then be lined up to start the third game of the season against the D-backs on March 29, following Steele (Thursday) and Taillon (Friday) in the rotation.\n\n“That trip was a lot -- for everybody -- but for him, in particular,” said Counsell, who added that Imanaga was feeling a little “under the weather” as well. “And you can understand there’s just an added emotional component for them. I’m glad Shota acknowledged it, frankly, right? That it was just a lot. So, it works out well.”
**Suzuki belts pair of homers vs. Rockies**\n\nAfter using Friday to recover from jet lag, Cubs slugger
**Miller heading to 15-day IL**\n\nCounsell noted on Saturday that righty