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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 in the team’s 9-0 win over the Texas Rangers Monday night at Globe Life Field. Tatsuya Imai pitched six hitless innings and reliever Steven Okert pitched one inning before manager Joe Espada turned to Santa to finish the job.
Santa, 23, pitched two perfect innings and finished the game by striking out Brandon Nimmo for his first career strikeout, completing the no-hitter total. Santa became the first pitcher since 1900 to throw a no-hitter in his big 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 win over the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, May 25, 2026. (Julio Cortés/AP)
In the bullpen, Santa said he was aware of what was at stake.
“Yes, there was adrenaline,” Santa said through a translator. “I was aware of the no-hitter, but I was just trying to calm down from the bullpen.”
Espada said he was proud of Santa.
“Proud of Santa,” Espada said via MLB.com. “I think it’s a big night for him and his family. I’m so proud of him. I’ve seen this kid for years, and to have this moment is huge for the organization and for him.”
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Houston Astros pitcher Alimber Santa holds the baseball after helping his team to a no-hitter in his major league debut against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, May 25, 2026. (Julio Cortés/AP)
Imai walked three of the first batters he faced, but settled in to escape the first jam. Okert also walked a batter during his inning of work.
The no-hitter total was the Astros’ 17th no-hitter of the regular season. They have a total of 18 no-hitters, including the postseason, as they threw a no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2022 World Series.
It was the first major league no-hitter since Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers combined for a 12-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 4, 2024. No pitcher has thrown a complete game no-hitter since Blake Snell did so for the San Francisco Giants against the Cincinnati Reds on August 2, 2024.
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Houston Astros pitchers Alimber Santa, Tatsuya Imai and Steven Okert pose with catcher Christian Vázquez after combining for a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas on May 25, 2026. (Julio Cortés/AP)
Ronel Blanco pitched the Astros’ previous no-hitter in a 10–0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on April 1, 2024, which also marked Espada’s first victory as manager. In fact, Houston has accounted for three of the last seven games and five of the last 11 major league no-hitters.
The Astros (24-31) will look to build on their combined no-hit momentum when they take on the Rangers (24-29) in the second game of a four-game series on Tuesday at 8:05 p.m. ET.
