The Houston Astros signed Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai to a three-year, $54 million deal this offseason, complete with opt-outs after the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Now they’re discovering just how different his preparation routine is from what they’re used to seeing.
Most starting pitchers take it easy the day before their next start. They’ll do some light band work, maybe throw plyo balls against a wall, but that’s about it. Keep the arm fresh.
Imai’s doing the complete opposite.
“Tatsuya Imai, who starts tomorrow, is throwing a bullpen session right now,” Houston Chronicle’s Matt Kawahara wrote Tuesday on X. “He did the same a day before his last start. Joe Espada said the ‘very rare’ practice was part of Imai’s routine in Japan, and Imai ‘just likes to get a feel for his pitches’ off the mound before outings.”
It’s not what you’d expect to see in a big league clubhouse. Astros manager Joe Espada called it “very rare” for good reason – most pitching coaches would probably have a heart attack watching their starter throw a full bullpen session 24 hours before taking the mound.
But that’s how Imai prepared with the Saitama Seibu Lions, where he earned three All-Star selections and established himself as one of NPB’s top arms. The way the Astros see it, why mess with what’s worked?
Houston’s planning to use a six-man rotation to start the season, which should help Imai adjust to the majors. Most NPB clubs already use six starters, so it’s familiar territory for the 27-year-old.
So far, his routine seems to be working just fine. Imai hasn’t allowed a run through two spring training outings and has struck out three batters. The Astros figure they’ll let him keep doing his thing as long as the results keep coming.
It’s just another reminder that baseball’s becoming more global, and sometimes that means adapting to different approaches that might seem unconventional but get the job done.
