Astros rookie Imai nervous in MLB debut against Angels

Tatsuya Imai struggled with nerves in his first major league start for the Houston Astros.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 12:25am

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Tatsuya Imai, a veteran pitcher from Japan's professional leagues, made his MLB debut for the Houston Astros on Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels. Despite his extensive experience, Imai admitted to feeling nervous about the different environment of playing in the major leagues for the first time.

Why it matters

Imai's debut is an important milestone for the Astros' pitching staff as they look to build on their recent success. However, the transition from Japan's professional league to MLB can be challenging, and Imai's nerves highlight the pressure young players face when making their big league debuts.

The details

Imai, who spent 8 seasons playing professionally in Japan, made over 100 starts before joining the Astros this year. Despite his experience, he said he felt a case of the jitters when taking the mound for his MLB debut against the Angels on Sunday.

  • Imai made his MLB debut on Sunday, March 30, 2026.

The players

Tatsuya Imai

A 28-year-old pitcher who spent 8 seasons playing professionally in Japan before joining the Houston Astros this year for his MLB debut.

Houston Astros

The Major League Baseball team that Imai made his debut for on Sunday.

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What they’re saying

“I went out there looking to have fun, but with that said, it's a different environment from the time I was in Japan,”

— Tatsuya Imai, Astros pitcher

The takeaway

Imai's nerves in his MLB debut highlight the challenges young players face when transitioning from professional leagues abroad to the bright lights of the major leagues. The Astros will look to help Imai settle in and find his footing as he continues his career in the big leagues.