The Chicago Cubs faced the Colorado Rockies in their first home game on April 1. Shōta Imanaga made his major league debut in that game and performed very well, helping the Cubs win. After the game, Cubs ace Justin Steele posted a message on X.
“Fly the W. Shota is him,” Steele wrote on X.
The Cubs lost two out of three games in their opening series to the Texas Rangers. On opening day, March 28, Steele started for the Cubs but had to leave the game due to a hamstring injury.
Imaging revealed that Steele has a “Grade 1 strain,” in his left hamstring, according to MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian.
“It’s probably better than at least I anticipated,” Counsell said on March 30. “He’s really much better today. He played catch today, which was a great sign. I think he’s going to miss the month of April.”
Though Steele is unable to play for the Cubs due to his injury, he is clearly excited by Imanaga's debut.
Imanaga Leads the Way in a Cubs Win
The Cubs signed left-hander Imanaga in free agency this offseason. Imanaga had a 7-5 record in Japan last season with a 2.77 ERA. Imanaga signed a four-year, $53 million contract, according to Bastian. The deal includes an option for the Cubs to extend the deal to five years in 2025 and 2026.
“The general consensus is that Imanaga can immediately step in as a No. 2-3 caliber arm. Last year, while pitching for Yokohama in Nippon Professional Baseball, Imanaga spun a 2.80 ERA in 148 innings with a league-leading 174 strikeouts,” Bastian wrote in a January 11 story.
On April 1, Imanaga showed why the Cubs believed he could be a top-end starter in their rotation. Imanaga struck out nine in the Cubs 5-0 win. He carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before Charlie Blackmon singled to center field with two outs. Imanaga was visibly fired up after recording his final strikeout to end the sixth inning. He ended the game without issuing a single walk.
“It was a unique atmosphere, especially in the last strikeout,” Imanaga said through interpreter Edwin Stanberry, according to Marquee Sports Network’s Andy Martinez. It might have not been the best pitch, [in] regards to pitch speed, but getting the support from the fans, I was able to get that strikeout.”
Imanaga’s no-hit bid on April 1 is tied for the longest no-hit bid by a Cubs pitcher in his MLB debut, joining Amaury Telemaco, who accomplished the feat in 1969, according to MLB.com’s Sarah Langs.
Cubs Rotation Moving Forward
The Cubs started Steele, Kyle Hendricks and Jordan Wicks in their opening series. With Steele set to miss some time, Imanaga becomes a more important piece for the Cubs.
Steele was an All-Star in 2023. He had a 16-5 record with a 3.06 ERA in 2023. He finished fifth in National League Cy Young Award voting. His absence from the rotation is a big blow for the Cubs.
The Cubs called up Ben Brown from Triple-A Iowa. Brown is the Cubs No. 10 prospect. The young right-hander could “also be in the mix to assume Steele’s slot in the rotation,” according to Bastian.
Pitcher Jameson Taillon is still on the injured list due to a back injury.
“The tall right-handed pitcher practiced facing batters in Arizona on Friday and will do it again on Tuesday. If everything goes as planned, he might play in a Minor League rehabilitation game for Triple-A Iowa on April 7,” Bastian reported.
