\u201cI felt relaxed afterwards, and I think the team felt the same way,\u201d Imanaga said through interpreter Edwin Stanberry. \u201cI was able to stay calm and make the play, so I think there was a sigh of relief after that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Navigating seven weeks without Imanaga proved to be one of the Chicago Cubs\u2019 toughest challenges through the first half of the season.<\/p>\n
Whether it was the absence of his consistency on the mound or his fun, laid-back persona in the clubhouse, the Cubs survived Imanaga\u2019s IL stint as well as they could have envisioned when he got hurt.<\/p>\n
His performance in his return made it difficult to tell how much time had passed since he pitched in a major-league game. Imanaga neutralized the Cardinals, holding them to one hit in five shutout innings during the Cubs\u2019 3-0 victory at Busch Stadium to split the four-game series and take a three-game lead in the division.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday we didn\u2019t really feel like my first start coming back from rehab,\u201d Imanaga said. \u201cIt was just, \u2018OK, let\u2019s even up this series.’\u201d<\/p>\n
Imanaga gave up a one-out single in the first, then retired 14 of the final 15 batters he faced, with the only other baserunner reaching on a walk. The lefty was efficient, too, as he settled in. After a 20-pitch first, Imanaga used 57 pitches over the next four innings.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think there\u2019s a tendency to get a little overamped in a start like that, and I thought he controlled his effort level really well, his energy really well,\u201d manager Craig Counsell said. \u201cAnd that caused a lot of really good execution.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Cubs expected Imanaga to throw about 85 pitches Thursday, though because of the steamy heat, they planned to communicate between innings to make sure he was feeling good and maintaining his strength.<\/p>\n
![\"Cubs](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/CTC-L-CUBS_143d18.jpg\")
Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga pauses on the mound during the third inning against the Cardinals on Thursday, June 26, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo\/Jeff Roberson)<\/p>\n
\u201cOur goal with Shota is going to be getting him back to built up, fully stretched out, making sure everything that Shota does is going to be in check,\u201d pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said. \u201cAnd then once you feel like that\u2019s there, you\u2019re getting a a stopper, a guy who\u2019s done so well for us over the last year and a half. When you need that big start, he\u2019s the guy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Imanaga didn\u2019t seem bothered by the conditions or experience much rust as he cruised. Although he didn\u2019t feel in 100% control of his pitches in his first game back, with the help of the defense and catcher Carson Kelly\u2019s game calling, the Cardinals weren\u2019t having much success. He struck out three and generated seven whiffs and seven called strikes.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of the same stuff we saw earlier in the year, there was nothing that stood out that was any different from what he was doing,\u201d Kelly told the Tribune. \u201cHe got in the flow of the game, into his groove. So all in all, a very, very good sign for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Imanaga gives the rotation a needed boost after some shaky starts over the last week in particular. The bullpen continues to be lights out with four more scoreless innings Thursday. The Cubs held the Cardinals (44-38) to three hits or fewer for the first time since June 13, 2021, at Wrigley Field and the first in St. Louis since Sept. 14, 2016.<\/p>\n
\n