WBSC Premier12 winner Shota Imanaga contributes to MLB combined no-hitter

WBSC Premier12 2019 and World Baseball Classic 2023 winner Shota Imanaga contributed with a seven-inning start to the 18th no-hitter in the Chicago Cubs Major League Baseball (MLB) history, the first at Wirgley Field since 1972. The Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 12-0.

Imanaga struck out seven over, allowing only two walks. Relievers Nate Pearson and Porter Hodge threw two perfect innings to collect the final six outs.

After starring for the Yokohama DeNA Bay Stars of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 2019 to 2024, Imanaga signed a four-year contract worth US$53 million with the Cubs in January 2024.

A left-handed pitcher who throws from a three-quarters arm angle, Imanaga is nicknamed The Throwing Philosopher in Japan.

He is an International baseball veteran. Imanaga starred in the Australian Baseball League (ABL) 2018-2019, when he was an NPB minor leaguer, and helped Japan win the WBSC Premier12 2019 and the World Baseball Classic 2023.