Chicago Cubs Lineup (2/24/26): Busch Leads Off, Shaw at 3B, Imanaga on Mound

The Cubs are back in action on Tuesday to follow their first win of the Cactus League season with another game, this one at home, that features no home broadcast. There will be no TV coverage from either side, but there is apparently SD Audio from the Padres. Cool.

Michael Busch leads off at first in his spring debut, then it’s Matt Shaw getting the start at third base to give him three positions already. Carson Kelly is the catcher, Dylan Carlson is in right, Chas McCormick is in left, and James Triantos plays second. B.J. Murray continues to be the most-used player on the team with another DH start, then it’s Justin Dean in center and Scott Kingery at short.

Shōta Imanaga is on the mound for what will probably be his first and only appearance before heading back to Japan to prep for the WBC. As with yesterday’s game, there’s not really much to cover here since it’s so early and we can’t watch it anyway. Ideally, we’d get to see whether the ABS helps him get more high strikes at the corners. Alas. The only goal is to get his first live competition under his belt, so we can start worrying about performance in another week or two.

The Padres are going with lefty Marco Gonzales, the former No. 19 overall pick by the Cardinals in 2013. The Fort Collins, CO native was actually drafted by the Rockies out of high school but opted to attend Gonzaga, which was probably the right choice. He actually made his MLB debut against the Rox in 2014, but struggled through shoulder and elbow injuries in the two subsequent seasons.

Gonzales was traded to the Mariners for Tyler O’Neill in 2017 and was named the Mariners’ Opening Day starter from 2019-22. His 2023 was marred by forearm nerve issues that resulted in surgery, then he was traded to the Braves along with Jarred Kelenic in December of 2023. Two days later, the Braves sent Gonzales to the Pirates. Another forearm strain led to another surgery that ended his ’24 campaign early, after which the Pirates declined his option.

The southpaw missed all of last season and is now with the Padres on a minor league deal. Man, talk about being snakebit. This guy is really talented, he just can’t stay healthy. Anyone who’s persevered through all that and is still making a go of it has my respect.

First pitch is once again at 2:05pm CT.

Sho-time in Mesa. ? pic.twitter.com/NEMfKcCBVv

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 24, 2026