Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga was named the National League's Rookie of the Month for the span from late March when the season began through the end of April, Major League Baseball said Friday.
The 30-year-old lefty, formerly of the DeNA BayStars in Japan's Central League, went 4-0 with a 0.98 ERA in five starts during the month in an impressive beginning to his major-league career.
Imanaga became the first Japanese player to earn the monthly award since outfielder Seiya Suzuki, who also plays for the Cubs, won it for April 2022. Shohei Ohtani claimed the American League honor twice during his rookie campaign in 2018 with the Los Angeles Angels.
Last year in Japan, Imanaga topped the CL with 174 strikeouts while posting a 7-4 record with a 2.80 ERA over 22 games.
The Fukuoka Prefecture native, who was also the starter and winning pitcher for Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic final against the United States, joined the Cubs on a four-year deal worth a reported $53 million.
Rookie outfielder Colton Cowser of the Baltimore Orioles won the American League monthly award after batting .303 with six homers and 18 RBIs in his first 28 games in the majors.
