Shota Imanaga’s performance in his return made it difficult to tell how much time had passed since he pitched in a major-league game.

After a very long wait, the Chicago Cubs finally have their ace back. Shota Imanaga made his return to the mound after being out since May 4 with a hamstring issue that proved more complicated than initially suspected.

Chicago Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga pitched five scoreless innings against St. Louis on Thursday in his return from a strained left hamstring that had sidelined him since May 4. Imanaga, a 31-year-old from Japan in his second season with Chicago,