Astros Rookie Pitcher Imai Debuts with Nerves

Tatsuya Imai makes first MLB start after 8 seasons in Japan's top league

Mar. 30, 2026 at 1:20am

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Tatsuya Imai, a 28-year-old Japanese pitcher making his major league debut for the Houston Astros, admitted to feeling nervous on the mound despite his extensive professional experience in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league.

Why it matters

Imai's debut is a significant milestone for the Astros, who have been developing international talent like Imai to bolster their pitching rotation. His performance could impact the team's plans for the rest of the season.

The details

Imai, who spent 8 seasons playing in Japan's top professional league, the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league, made his first MLB start for the Houston Astros against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. Despite his extensive professional experience, Imai said he felt jitters and nerves as he took the mound for the first time in the major leagues.

  • Imai made his MLB debut on Sunday, March 30, 2026.
  • Imai spent 8 seasons playing in Japan's NPB league before joining the Astros.

The players

Tatsuya Imai

A 28-year-old Japanese pitcher making his major league debut for the Houston Astros after 8 seasons playing in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league.

Houston Astros

The Major League Baseball team that Tatsuya Imai is playing for, based in Houston, Texas.

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What they’re saying

“Though Tatsuya Imai made more than 100 starts in eight seasons playing professionally in Japan, he admitted to having a case of the jitters Sunday in his major league debut for the Houston Astros.”

— Tatsuya Imai, Astros Pitcher

The takeaway

Imai's MLB debut, despite his extensive experience in Japan's top professional league, shows the significant adjustment and nerves that even veteran international players can face when transitioning to the major leagues in the United States.