Shota Imanaga Threw a 54-MPH Pitch and Got Yanked Right Away

The Cubs starter didn't look quite right towards the end of his start on Thursday against the Cardinals.

Aug 1, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga (18) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the seventh inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports / Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Cubs All-Star lefty Shota Imanaga has been a revelation in his first season with the franchise, as he has quickly become one of the best pitchers in the National League.

The 30-year-old was named to his first All-Star team last month, and has spent a majority of his first season with a sub-3.00 ERA, as he has helped anchor the Cubs' starting rotation.

Imanaga didn't have his best stuff in his latest start on Thursday night against the NL Central rival St. Louis Cardinals. Imanaga earned a no-decision, going 6.2 innings while allowing four earned runs on 10 hits.

His last pitch of the night was a 54 mile-per-hour curve ball that looked more like an eephus. Cardinals star Paul Goldschmidt sat back on it and hit a double into the right center field gap. The alarmingly slow breaking ball ended Imanaga's night.

Shota Imanaga threw a 54 MPH curveball to Paul Goldschmidt that got hit for a double and that was his last pitch of the night pic.twitter.com/MoMZZAss94

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 2, 2024

Cubs manager Craig Counsell immediately pulled Imanaga from the contest after his 90th pitch of the night. Chicago ended up beating St. Louis 5-4 to improve to 53-58 on the season.

Hopefully all is well with Imanaga health-wise exiting his latest start. The Cubs can't afford to lose him from the rotation if they want to keep their longshot playoff hopes alive.