Astros’ struggling Tatsuya Imai to return to rotation next week
Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imairegardless of his struggles in adjusting to the main leagues and continued management issues throughout his minor league rehab project, he’ll return to the Houston Astros‘Starting rotation next week, supervisor Joe Espada mentioned Wednesday.
Imai, who has been on the injured checklist due to proper arm fatigue since April 12, has a 7.27 ERA in his first three begins within the majors and was unable to end the primary inning in his final begin on April 10 towards the Seattle Mariners.
During his rehab project with Triple-A Sugar Land, Imai issued 5 walks in three innings and threw solely 27 of 63 pitches for strikes.
“He’s a really good pitcher,” Astros supervisor Joe Espada mentioned Wednesday. “We went out and we got him because he belongs in the rotation — the Astros’ rotation. He’s ready to pitch in the big leagues. We need him to be the guy we know he’s capable of being and he’s ready to go. We’re going to get him in here and get him right.”
Espada mentioned Imai, who signed a $54 million, three-year contract with the Astros that included choose outs after the primary two seasons, would return to the rotation in some unspecified time in the future in the course of the Astros’ collection towards the Mariners next week.
It comes at a vital time for the Astros, who’re with out ace Hunter Brown (shoulder pressure), Christian Javier (shoulder pressure), Ronel Blanco (Tommy John surgical procedure) and nearer Josh Hader (biceps tendonitis). Lance McCullers Jr.. is also uncertain if he’ll have the opportunity to make his next begin after part of his fingernail “popped off” throughout Wednesday’s loss to the Dodgers.
The Astros on Wednesday additionally optioned right-hander Jason Alexander to Sugar Land.
After he was positioned on the IL, Imai revealed that the transition to the United States had been more durable than anticipated after pitching for the Seibu Lions in Japan final season. Among the issues that he is mentioned he struggled with in his adjustment to the majors are the ball itself, the pitcher’s mound, the pitch clock and even his meal schedule.
“I mean, he’s a quality starter, right?” Astros common supervisor Dana Brown mentioned. “And I think he’s hit a bump on the road with some of the walks that he’s been experiencing. I think a big part of it is just allowing him to free his mind up, attack Major League hitters like he used to attack hitters in Japan. Don’t overthink it and just lock in and be yourself.
“That’s a giant level that we’re making an attempt to make to him — simply be your self and trust in your stuff as a result of your stuff performs at this degree.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
