
Before a game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs in August of 2024, then-rookie Paul Skenes took some time to share a pitching tip with fellow first-year pitcher Shota Imanaga of the Cubs. On Thursday, Imanaga returned the favor for Skenes.
Meeting with Skenes on the field at PNC Park before Thursday's game, Imanaga, with the help of interpreter Edwin Stanberry, appeared to be showing the Pirates ace a particular pitching grip, just as Skenes had done for him in '24.