Why Cubs’ Shota Imanaga was removed from game amid no-hit bid vs. Pirates

The Chicago Cubs and fans were witnessing a no-hit bid against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday afternoon. Cubs’ ace Shota Imanaga pitched a gem against the Pirates, but was removed in the 7th inning after reaching the 100 pitch mark. 68 of his 100 pitches were for strikes, and the southpaw struck out nine hitters and walked only one.

NINE strikeouts
ZERO hits

Have yourself a day, Shota Imanaga pic.twitter.com/AnjfNeKR6F

— MLB (@MLB) April 10, 2026

Imanaga had the entire lineup silent until he was removed in the 7th. It sucks to see him removed with a no-hit bid; however, the season is still very young, and the Cubs have already lost an elite young starter to the season. They cannot risk losing another for a no-hitter, plus, there was no way he would finish at that pitch mark.

The bummer is that lefty Caleb Thielbar immediately allowed the first hit of the game in the 7th, followed by a two-run home run by Brian Reynolds that launched 385 feet.

Bryan Reynolds breaks the scoreless tie at Wrigley Field with a two-run shot pic.twitter.com/8EDiP6wG5b

— MLB (@MLB) April 10, 2026

The Cubs did not have a run scored yet at the time, so to say they were close to a no-hitter is still technically false without a lead. Still, the Cubs had chances to score runs but did not.

Imanaga now has an ERA of 2.81 on the season after six clean innings. After losing Cade Horton for the season, the Cubs need Imanaga to become the top starter on this staff moving forward. He can be the ace of a playoff team as he has done before. This team does have depth at the rotation, and is hoping that Justin Steele can come back sooner rather than later, and dominate as he did before his Tommy John surgery.

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