Astros' Imai Cites 'American Lifestyle' Adjustment as Reason for Arm Fatigue

Japanese pitcher says tests show no serious injury, plans to work on adapting to new environment

Apr. 15, 2026 at 1:58pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's motion broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange, conceptually representing the challenges of cultural adjustment for an international player.A cubist interpretation of a Japanese pitcher's struggles to adapt to the demands of Major League Baseball in the United States.Houston Today

Houston Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai, who was placed on the injured list with "arm fatigue" earlier this week, told reporters that tests showed no significant injury. Imai believes his struggles to adjust to the "American lifestyle" may be the reason for his arm issues, noting differences from his home country of Japan, such as travel demands.

Why it matters

Imai's ability to adapt to the rigors of Major League Baseball will be crucial for the Astros, who are looking to the young Japanese right-hander to contribute to their pitching rotation. Any prolonged physical or mental struggles could hinder his development and impact the team's performance.

The details

Imai was placed on the injured list on Monday with what the team called "arm fatigue." However, the 24-year-old told reporters that tests came back "positive" and he does not have a significant injury. Imai believes the challenges of adjusting to the "American lifestyle," including differences in travel demands compared to Japan, may be the root cause of his arm issues.

  • Imai was placed on the injured list on Monday, April 14, 2026.
  • Imai spoke to reporters, including The Athletic, on Tuesday, April 15, 2026.

The players

Tatsuya Imai

A 24-year-old Japanese right-handed pitcher for the Houston Astros.

Houston Astros

The Major League Baseball team that Imai plays for, located in Houston, Texas.

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What they’re saying

“For example, the travel is different from Japan,”

— Tatsuya Imai, Astros Pitcher

What’s next

Imai will work to adapt to the demands of the "American lifestyle" as he recovers from his arm fatigue and looks to rejoin the Astros' pitching rotation.

The takeaway

Imai's struggles to adjust to the differences between professional baseball in Japan and the United States highlight the challenges international players can face when transitioning to the MLB. The Astros will need to provide support to help Imai overcome these cultural and lifestyle adjustments in order to unlock his full potential.