Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga. David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Rookie SP ties Cubs record in stellar debut vs. Rockies

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 4/1/24

Chicago Cubs rookie starting pitcher Shota Imanaga made his MLB debut on Monday against the Colorado Rockies and accomplished something that the franchise hasn't seen since 1996.

Shota Imanaga’s 5 2/3 inning bid is tied for the longest no-hit bid by a Cubs pitcher in his MLB debut in at least the last 50 seasons, joining:

5/16/96 Amaury Telemaco: 5 2/3 IP
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) April 1, 2024

Though the southpaw's no-hitter ended with two outs in the top of the sixth, he capped off his first big league outing in style, racking up his ninth strikeout.

Shota Imanaga's 9th K in his MLB debut! pic.twitter.com/fGHvvK5iJ5
— MLB (@MLB) April 1, 2024

Imanaga finished his outing with just two hits and no walks allowed over six shutout frames while throwing 65 of his 92 pitches for strikes. Imanaga — who signed a four-year, $53M deal with the Cubs in January — lived up to his reputation as a fly ball pitcher on Monday, inducing eight flyouts and no groundouts to go with his nine punchouts.

The 30-year-old departed a scoreless game, but his offense scored three times in the bottom of the sixth to put him in line for a victory in his first contest.

Cubs fans are hoping that Imanaga's career in the Windy City lasts longer than Amaury Telemaco's did, as the now-50-year-old Dominican went just 6-11 with a 5.36 ERA in 49 games (22 starts) across two-plus seasons.

Imanaga's career in Chicago is off to a historic start.

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