The Astros aimed to sidestep more injury issues, and that’s exactly what transpired with Tatsuya Imai.
Starting on Friday, Imai, a rookie right-hander who signed a deal worth up to $63 million with Houston to transition from Japan this season, made his way back to Houston from Seattle. According to MLB.com, there were no signs of injury after his abbreviated outing against the Mariners, where he allowed three runs in just 1/3 of an inning, yielding one hit and four walks as he struggled on the mound.
Post-game, he expressed discomfort, saying the mound at T-Mobile Park felt “really hard.” He also noted that he wasn’t accustomed to pitching in the 64-degree, windy weather, contrasting it with conditions in Japan.
“In Japan, we only visit six stadiums during the season,” Imai mentioned, highlighting the adjustment needed, “but here we play in 30 different stadiums, and I have to adapt to each mound.”
However, the Astros are facing more than just the typical growing pains; the situation is becoming a bit dire.
Starting pitchers Hunter Brown and Cristian Javier have also returned to Houston during the team’s road trip, both diagnosed with Grade 2 shoulder strains, which has led to their placement on the disabled list.
The Astros’ woes continued as they were recently defeated by the Mariners, 9-6, marking the beginning of a rough stretch. Now sitting at 6-8, the prospect of Imai’s prolonged absence adds another layer of concern just weeks into the season.
Before deciding on Houston, Imai was the most sought-after Japanese starter in the market. He signed with the Astros right before his 45-day contract window closed.
Notably, he made headlines by proclaiming that he didn’t want to follow in the footsteps of other prominent Japanese stars like Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Aki Sasaki, stating he preferred to avoid joining the Dodgers and sought to succeed with a team that could rival powerhouses like Los Angeles.
Imai had an impressive 2.14 ERA over two seasons with the Seibu Lions, and following a rocky debut, he rebounded in Sunday’s game against the Athletics, delivering a commendable 5 2/3 shutout innings.
