Tatsuya Imai

Tatsuya Imai is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball. He has previously played in Nippon Professional Baseball for the Saitama Seibu Lions. He made his NPB debut in 2018, and is a three-time NPB All-Star.

Career

Saitama Seibu Lions

Imai made his NPB debut in 2018 with the Saitama Seibu Lions. Imai struggled in his early career. His earned run average was 4.81 in 2018, 4.32 in 2019, and 6.13 in 2020. He vastly improved in 2021, pitching to a 3.30 ERA. He has posted a sub-3.00 ERA in every full season since then.
On April 18, 2025, Imai and Kaima Taira combined to no-hit the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks at the Belluna Dome. Imai pitched the first eight innings, with Taira coming in to complete the no-hitter in the ninth inning. On June 17, Imai struck out 17 batters in a game against the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, surpassing a club record previously held by Daisuke Matsuzaka. On June 21, it was announced that Imai, along with first baseman Tyler Nevin, received the May Taiju Life Insurance Monthly MVP.

Houston Astros

The Lions posted Imai to Major League Baseball in November 2025, giving him until January 2, 2026, to sign. Imai signed a three-year contract with the Houston Astros for $54 million.

Pitching style

Imai is a, right-handed pitcher. With a low three-quarters delivery, he throws a fastball sitting around, which tops out at, an above-average mid-80s slider, and a changeup.