Tatsuya Imai
Tatsuya Imai signs short-term deal with Houston Astros
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Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai has agreed to a three-year contract with the Houston Astros worth up to $63 million, including opt-out clauses after the 2026 and 2027 seasons. The 27-year-old right-hander, previously with the Saitama Seibu Lions in Nippon Professional Baseball, surprised many by choosing a shorter deal than preseason projections anticipated. While around 15 teams showed interest, concerns about his fastball translation to Major League Baseball influenced the market dynamics.
The Houston Astros have bolstered their pitching staff with the addition of Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai, marking the likely final move in their offseason overhaul. Despite the probable loss of Framber Valdez to free agency, the team has added three starting pitchers and built significant depth to address last season's injury woes. Manager Joe Espada expressed excitement about the group's potential to ease pressure on the bullpen.
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The Houston Astros have signed Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai to a three-year contract worth up to $63 million, including opt-outs after each season. This move comes one day before Imai's posting window closed, following his standout 2025 season in Nippon Professional Baseball. The deal highlights ongoing interest in international pitching talent amid a slow-moving MLB free agency market.