Astros' Tatsuya Imai Cites Personal Struggles in Slow MLB Start

The Japanese pitching star is having difficulty adjusting to life in the U.S. as he deals with early-season arm fatigue.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 3:03am

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A cubist-style painting depicting Tatsuya Imai's pitching motion broken down into overlapping geometric shapes in shades of blue and gray, conveying the difficulty of his transition to the MLB.Tatsuya Imai's uneven start with the Astros reflects the personal challenges of adjusting to a new country and culture.Houston Today

Tatsuya Imai, the Houston Astros' high-profile offseason signing from Japan, has revealed that his struggles to adjust to an American lifestyle off the field are contributing to his slow start on the mound. Imai, who signed a $54 million contract with the Astros, has dealt with arm fatigue and poor outings in his first three MLB starts, leading him to return to Houston for further examination.

Why it matters

Imai was expected to be a key addition to the Astros' pitching staff, but his early-season troubles highlight the challenges international players can face when transitioning to the MLB. The Astros will need Imai to find his footing both on and off the field if they hope to bounce back from their slow start to the season.

The details

Through an interpreter, Imai said he has had difficulty adjusting to the American lifestyle in terms of both baseball and his personal life. The 27-year-old right-hander is currently 1-0 with a 7.27 ERA, having walked 11 batters and struck out 13 in 8 2/3 innings. After his most recent outing, in which he recorded just one out while allowing three runs, Imai returned to Houston to be examined for right arm fatigue.

  • Imai signed a $54 million, three-year contract with the Astros in the offseason.
  • Imai made his third start of the season on Friday, April 14, 2026.

The players

Tatsuya Imai

A 27-year-old right-handed pitcher who signed a $54 million contract with the Houston Astros in the offseason after a successful career in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league.

Houston Astros

The Major League Baseball team that signed Tatsuya Imai to a three-year contract in the offseason, hoping he would bolster their pitching staff.

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What they’re saying

“Through an interpreter, Tatsuya Imai said he's not been able to adjust to an American lifestyle in terms of baseball and outside of baseball.”

— Tatsuya Imai, Astros Pitcher

What’s next

The Astros will continue to monitor Imai's progress as he works to adjust to life in the United States and overcome the arm fatigue that has hindered his early-season performance.

The takeaway

Imai's struggles highlight the challenges international players can face when transitioning to the MLB, both on the field and off. The Astros will need to provide Imai with support to help him adapt to his new surroundings if they hope to see the dominant pitcher they signed this offseason.