Craig Counsell was fully aware of the history at stake.

He’s also conscious of the importance of Shota Imanaga to the Cubs.

That’s why, even though the Cubs lefty had a no-hitter through 7 innings, Counsell knew it was time to turn it over to the relief corps to pick up the final 6 outs.

“Look, it’s always hard to do in that situation,” Counsell said after the game. “But, you’re just taking care of Shota. I mean it’s 100% about taking care of Shota and making sure we’re doing the right thing for him.

“It’s not fun to do, but when you’re prioritizing the player’s health — you don’t know what’s going to happen moving forward, we want him to stay healthy. He’s had a career high in innings and doing a great job.”

Imanaga had thrown 95 pitches through those 7 innings. The Cubs have monitored his workload all year and his season-high in pitches is 103 (he’s only topped 100 pitches 3 times).

Complete coverage of the no-hitter
–WATCH: The final out as Cubs put finishing touches on no-no
–Every out from the 2nd combined no-hitter in franchise history
–Shota Imanaga wasn’t aware of the no-hitter during outing
–Craig Counsell explains thought process behind taking Imanaga out of game
–Amaya, Hodge react after final out
–Analyzing the epic pitching performance from Imanaga, Pearson and Hodge
–The final out from every Cubs no-hitter since 2008
–Alex Cohen and Jim Deshaies recap no-hitter
–Pat Hughes’ call of the final out
–Miguel Esparza’s call of the final out in Spanish
–Dansby Swanson’s selfless gesture for Cubs pitchers during no-hitter

Imanaga didn’t push back — but mainly because he had no idea he was throwing a no-hitter.

After his night was done, Imanaga went to talk to his manager like he usually does. He was expecting to find him excited. After all, Imanaga had given the Cubs 7 shutout innings.

“And usually, he looks happy about [it], telling me good job,” Imanaga said through interpreter Edwin Stanberry. “But he looked a little worried, and so I was figuring out what’s going on, and that’s what I learned.”

The Cubs are clinging to their playoff hopes — they are 4.5 games back of the Braves after Wednesday’s no-hitter — and need Imanaga healthy down the stretch. Especially after their ace, Justin Steele, landed on the 15-day IL before the game with left elbow tendinitis. With Steele down, Imanaga — along with Jameson Taillon — are the Cubs’ two best starters. And they’ll need them at their best if they hope to claw back in the playoff race.

“When Craig came to talk to me, he mentioned the next outing, the outing after that, how it’s important to make sure you’re ready,” Imanaga said. “And for me, too, it’s really important to stay healthy for the whole season, throw my innings, make my starts.

“He told me it’s time to switch pitchers. And I just trusted his judgment, and I went with that.”

Nate Pearson and Porter Hodge were more than up for the task. The duo pitched scoreless 8th and 9th innings to finish off the Cubs’ first no-hitter since 2021.

“I have a lot of respect for everyone; Porter, Nate, [Miguel Amaya], all the defense,” Imanaga said. “I think as a starting pitcher, it’s a little easier [than] for the relief guys. They have to get ready, knowing the situation.

“They’re in tougher situation because there’s more pressure on them. So I’m just thankful for everybody today.”