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Making your Major League debut is nerve-wracking enough, but doing it while trying to preserve a no-hitter is a different kind of pressure.
Houston Astros pitcher Alimber Santa was called up to make his Major League debut during the team’s 9-0 victory over the Texas Rangers on Monday night at Globe Life Field. Tatsuya Imai threw six no-hit innings and reliever Steven Okert threw one inning before manager Joe Espada turned to Santa to finish the job.
Santa, 23, fired two perfect innings and ended the game by striking out Brandon Nimmo for his first career strikeout, completing the combined no-hitter. Santa became the first pitcher since 1900 to pitch a no-hitter during his major league debut, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
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Houston Astros pitcher Alimber Santa and catcher Christian Vázquez celebrate after their team’s combined no-hitter victory over the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, on May 25, 2026. (Julio Cortez/AP)
In the bullpen, Santa said he was aware of what was at stake.
“Yes, there was some adrenaline,” Santa said through a translator. “I was aware of the no-hitter, but I was just trying to calm myself out of the bullpen.”
Espada said he was proud of Santa.
“Proud Santa,” Espada said, via MLB.com. “I think it’s a big night for him and his family. So proud of him. I’ve watched this kid for years and just to have this moment is huge for the organization and for him.”
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Houston Astros pitcher Alimber Santa holds up the baseball after helping his team earn a combined no-hitter during his major league debut against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, on May 25, 2026. (Julio Cortez/AP)
Imai walked three of the first batters he faced but settled down to escape the early jam. Okert also walked a batter during his inning of work.
The combined no-hitter was the Astros’ 17th regular season no-hitter. They have 18 total no-hitters, including the postseason when they threw a combined no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2022 World Series.
It was the first no-hitter in the major leagues since Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers combined for a 12-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sept. 4, 2024. No pitcher has thrown a complete no-hitter since Blake Snell did it for the San Francisco Giants on Aug. 204ati, Reds.
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Houston Astros pitchers Alimber Santa, Tatsuya Imai and Steven Okert pose with catcher Christian Vázquez after pitching a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers on May 25, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Julio Cortez/AP)
Ronel Blanco threw the previous no-hitter for the Astros in a 10-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on April 1, 2024, which also marked Espada’s first win as a manager. In fact, Houston has posted three of the last seven and five of the last 11 major league no-hitters.
The Astros (24-31) will look to build on their momentum from the combined no-hitter when they play the Rangers (24-29) in the second game of a four-game series on Tuesday at 8:05 PM ET.
