The Houston Astros ended Japanese beginning pitcher Tatsuya Imai’s free company forward of his signing deadline of Friday by signing a three-year, $54 million deal on Thursday.
Imai was posted by the Saitama Seibu Lions of the Nippon Skilled Baseball on Nov. 19 and was linked with a number of groups throughout his signing window earlier than agreeing to phrases with the Astros.
In his last season for the Lions in 2025, Imai posted a 10-5 file with a career-best 1.92 ERA and 178 strikeouts in 163 2/3 innings and pitched in a mixed no-hitter for the Lions.
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MLB insider Jon Morosi mirrored on Imai’s transfer to Houston in a dialog with MLB Community.
“I believe it is vital to level out and we heard completely different comparisons to different Japanese pitchers in that montage that started our dialog right here,” Morosi stated. “The numbers on a per yr foundation are way more akin to a Kodai Senga than a Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
As we noticed in October and early November, he’s in a special realm. I believe that the Senga comparability for Imai is way more apt, and ultimately, when you take a look at this dedication, it is really extra in step with what the highest finish relievers obtained guys like Devin Williams or a Robert Suarez.
Imai joins Kaz Matsui, Nori Aoki and Yusei Kikuchi as the one different Japanese gamers to have performed for the AL franchise.
MLB insider outlines Tatsuya Imai’s need to win
Through the dialog, Jon Morosi additionally talked concerning the Japanese pitcher’s need to play for a contending group and never becoming a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“The fact is when it comes to NPB and his numbers there, Imai did miss lots of bats, and that’s one thing that is essential. In Houston, after all, extra of a hitter-friendly surroundings. I do adore it, although. He goes proper to pitch for a contending group within the American League.
“In her hitter-friendly ballpark, you consider a few of the issues he stated, coming over. Bear in mind, he stated, ‘I do not wish to play for the Dodgers.’ I am paraphrasing there, however that was principally what he stated that he desires to beat the Dodgers.”
The Astros’ rotation was ravaged by accidents final season as Ronel Blanco, Hayden Wesneski and Brandon Walter underwent Tommy John surgical procedures. Imai’s singing supplies a much-needed depth to the rotation
Edited by Chaitanya Prakash
