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Tatsuya Imai
P
HOU
2026 season
- GP
- 23
- W-L
- 6-4
- ERA
- 4.93
- WHIP
- 1.42
- K
- 97
- IP
- 76.2
Game log
| Date | Opp | Result | Dec | IP | H | ER | BB | K |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27 | @ATH | W 9-0 | - | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Sep 20 | vs ATL | L 2-4 | - | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Sep 16 | vs KC | L 2-5 | - | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Sep 9 | @PHI | L 7-11 | - | 2.0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Sep 1 | vs CWS | L 1-5 | - | 3.0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Aug 20 | vs LAA | L 3-18 | - | 3.0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Aug 12 | @SF | W 2-1 | - | 3.0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Aug 3 | vs TOR | L 1-3 | - | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Jul 27 | @LAA | W 6-4 | - | 0.2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Jul 21 | vs MIA | W 5-3 | W | 6.0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 8 |
| Jul 7 | @WSH | W 6-3 | - | 3.2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Jul 1 | vs MIN | L 3-8 | L | 1.1 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 2 |
| Jun 25 | @DET | W 2-1 | W | 6.0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 10 |
| Jun 19 | vs CLE | W 9-3 | W | 6.0 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 11 |
| Jun 12 | @KC | W 10-8 | - | 0.2 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| Jun 6 | vs ATH | W 13-2 | W | 5.0 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 8 |
| May 31 | vs MIL | L 0-2 | L | 6.0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| May 25 | @TEX | W 9-0 | W | 6.0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| May 18 | @MIN | L 3-6 | L | 4.2 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| May 12 | vs SEA | L 2-10 | L | 4.0 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| Apr 10 | @SEA | L 6-9 | - | 0.1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| Apr 4 | @ATH | W 11-0 | W | 5.2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 |
| Mar 29 | vs LAA | W 9-7 | - | 2.2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Latest news
Imai will remain with the Astros in 2027 rather than exercising the opt-out clause in his contract, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Imai has two years and $36 million remaining on his contract, which is well shy of what he'd get on the open market after he posted a disappointing 4.93 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 97:51 K:BB over 76.2 innings in his first year with the Astros. He has another opt-out clause in his contract that he could exercise after the 2027 campaign. Imai spent the final two months of the regular season in the bullpen, and it's unclear what plans the Astros have in mind in terms of Imai's role next season.
RotoWire via ESPN · Oct 29
Imai did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Giants, allowing three hits and two walks over three scoreless innings. He struck out three.
Making his second appearance in relief for the Astros, Imai managed to work his way through danger -- including a bases-loaded jam in the second inning -- ultimately holding San Francisco scoreless. Imai has now delivered back-to-back scoreless outings out of the bullpen, allowing just three hits while striking out eight over six innings in that span. Overall, his ERA sits at 5.29 this season with a 1.47 WHIP and 80:42 K:BB across 64.2 innings.
RotoWire via ESPN · Aug 13
Imai is expected to work in bulk relief behind opening pitcher Bryan King during Wednesday's game in San Francisco, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
The Astros haven't provided official word that Imai will pitch Wednesday, but he hasn't been used since Aug. 3 and didn't join the team's other relievers in the bullpen for Tuesday's 4-1 loss, which seemingly signaled that he was being saved for the series finale. Since being dropped from the rotation in late July, Imai has made two relief appearances and was sharp in his most recent outing, striking out five over three perfect innings. King will likely cover the first inning or two before giving way to Imai, who should be capable of providing a decent amount of length since he had only recently been removed from a starting role.
RotoWire via ESPN · Aug 12
Imai didn't factor into the decision Monday against the Blue Jays after striking out five across three perfect innings in relief.
Imai was stellar in his first appearance out of the bullpen for the Astros, as he held Toronto without a baserunner for three innings while striking out the final five batters he faced. It's certainly an encouraging development for Imai, who struggled to a 7.71 ERA across 11.2 innings in his last four starts. In the wake of Monday's successful performance, Houston figures to keep Imai in a bulk-relief role for the time being. Overall, the right-hander carries a 6-4 record with a 5.55 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 77:40 K:BB across 61.2 innings this season.
RotoWire via ESPN · Aug 4
Astros manager Joe Espada said Friday that Imai will be moving to the bullpen for the team's weekend series against the Rangers, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Imai struggled in his last start against the Angels on Monday, when tossed only 12 of 33 pitches for strikes and allowed two runs on one hit and four walks while striking out one batter over two-thirds of an inning. He was in line to start in Sunday's series finale, and while a replacement has yet to been announced, Chandler Rome of The Athletic suggested Thursday that Peter Lambert could be on the mound on short rest.
RotoWire via ESPN · Jul 31
Imai did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing two runs on a hit and four walks over two-thirds of an inning against the Angels. He struck out one.
Imai couldn't find the strike zone, throwing just 12 of 33 pitches for strikes and recording only two outs before being lifted in favor of AJ Blubaugh. A late-game rally by the Astros offense kept Imai from taking the loss, but it was still a disastrous outing for the 28-year-old. Control issues have consistently plagued the right-hander, as Monday marked the third time this season he's failed to complete a full inning in a start. Imai's first MLB season has featured a few bright spots but has mostly been a struggle, as he's posted a 5.83 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 72:40 K:BB across 58.2 innings (15 starts). His next start is tentatively scheduled for Sunday against the Rangers.
RotoWire via ESPN · Jul 28