Tatsuya Imai Passes First Spring Training Test, Astros Manager: All Checkpoints Cleared

The pitcher's mound is 60 feet 6 inches from home plate, and the bases are 90 feet apart, but that doesn't mean Tatsuya Imai won't need to make some on-field adjustments in his first Major League season.

Beyond the subtle physical differences between the MLB and NPB baseballs, Imai also noted during today's game—a 5-0 loss to the New York Mets—that the pregame timing is different. He mentioned that in Japan, the national anthem is performed much closer to the game's start time compared to MLB.

“This is an area I need to adjust to,” he said through interpreter Takagi Ryo. “It's a bit tricky. I'll definitely keep this in mind going forward and do my best to adapt.”

In his Grapefruit League spring training debut, Imai pitched only one inning, throwing 10 pitches. This was the planned workload, although the fifth pitch he threw was a sharp line drive hit right back at him by Marcus Semien, striking his right calf. It was the only hit he allowed, and Semien was subsequently doubled off.

“He came back and finished the inning with those 10 pitches, topping out at 95 mph,” manager Joe Espada said. “He looked really good.”

According to baseball data sites, Imai threw 5 sinkers, 3 splitters, and 2 sliders, with his sinker averaging 93.3 mph. Eight of the 10 pitches were strikes, generating 4 swings but no whiffs.

“I've been focusing on throwing all my pitches for strikes,” Imai said. “Having said that, I might have been a little too focused on just getting strikes, which led to not executing some pitches as well. This is definitely something I'll continue to work on and adjust.”

The 27-year-old Imai was a three-time All-Star in NPB, including in the 2024 and 2025 seasons. He developed into an ace over the past few years in Japan, posting ERAs under 3.00 and striking out more than one batter per inning over the last three seasons. However, the 2025 season was arguably his best: he went 10-5 with a career-low 1.92 ERA, struck out 178 batters in 163.2 innings, and contributed to a combined no-hitter for the Saitama Seibu Lions.

With Framber Valdez potentially leaving in free agency (he has since signed with the Detroit Tigers), the Astros were in need of another front-line starter and signed Imai to a $54 million contract that includes an opt-out clause.

Espada indicated that Imai's first official outing involved him adjusting to more aspects of Major League life.

“I think he passed all the checkpoints today,” Espada said. “He was on time in the clubhouse, felt good during the anthem. His warm-up went smoothly, and he had no issues with the pitch timer. For his first outing, I feel we checked everything we wanted to, and he came off the field with a big smile. He felt good, and we feel he's ready for his next appearance.”