Tatsuya Imai - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Avoids trouble in relief 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.

Impact 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. Overall, his ERA sits at 5.29 this season with a 1.47 WHIP and 80:42 K:BB across 64.2 innings.

AUGUST 13 • ROTOWIRE

Allen hits go-ahead sacrifice fly, Houston bullpen allows just a run as Astros beat Giants 2-1

Nick Allen hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the eighth inning, Steven Okert led an Astros bullpen that allowed just one run and Houston beat the San Francisco Giants 2-1 on Wednesda...

AUGUST 12 • Associated Press

Bulk-relief outing likely awaits 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.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 12 • ROTOWIRE

Sharp out of bullpen Imai didn't factor into the decision Monday against the Blue Jays after striking out five across three perfect innings in relief.

Impact 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. Houston figures to keep Imai in a bulk relief role for the time being, following his success Monday. Overall, the right-hander is 6-4 with a 5.55 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 77:40 K:BB across 61.2 innings this season.

AUGUST 4 • ROTOWIRE

Kirk goes deep as the Blue Jays snap the Astros' 6-game streak in a 3-1 win

Alejandro Kirk homered, Jesús Sánchez and Ernie Clement each had an RBI and the Toronto Blue Jays beat Houston 3-1 on Monday night, snapping the Astros’ six-game winning streak

AUGUST 4 • Associated Press

Astros shifting Imai to 'pen after only recording 2 outs in last start HOUSTON -- Astros right-hander Tatsuya Imai, who recorded only two outs in his most recent start Monday against the Angels in Anaheim, will...

AUGUST 1 • MLB.COM

Astros shift Tatsuya Imai to the bullpen for the Rangers series after a rough start

Houston starter Tatsuya Imai will pitch out of the bullpen for Houston’s weekend series against the Texas Rangers

JULY 31 • Associated Press

Moving to bullpen 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.

Impact 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.

JULY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Joe Espada Leaves One Major Astros Question Unanswered Houston Astros manager Joe Espada has avoided answering questions about Tatsuya Imai's rotation spot after another difficult outing extended...

JULY 29 • SI.COM

Astros take advantage of Angels meltdown to score 4 runs in 9th inning for 6-4 win

LaMonte Wade Jr. drew a bases-loaded walk that forced home the go-ahead run in a four-run ninth inning, and the Houston Astros came back to beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-4

JULY 28 • Associated Press

Chased out in first inning Monday 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.

Impact 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.

JULY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Tatsuya Imai Is Pitching Better Than His ERA Suggests Tatsuya Imai's best start of the month for the Astros didn't redefine his season. What it did was reinforce a trend Houston has been watchin...

JULY 22 • SI.COM

Astros May Have Unlocked Something in Tatsuya Imai's Arsenal The Houston Astros may have found the key to getting more out of Tatsuya Imai. After urging the right-hander to expand his pitch mix during...

JULY 22 • SI.COM

Solid in first start of second half Imai (6-4) earned the win over Miami on Tuesday, allowing one run on four hits and three walks while striking out eight batters over six innings.

Impact Imai held the Marlins scoreless through four frames and ended up with just one run on his ledger. The Japanese righty recorded 15 whiffs en route to eight punchouts and posted his fifth quality start of the campaign. Perhaps the only concerning part of Imai's outing is that his control was shaky -- he threw just 56 of 96 pitches for strikes and tossed a first-pitch strike to only 11 of 25 hitters. Still, it was a promising opening to the second half for Imai, who struggled to a 6.06 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 13 starts prior to the All-Star break. He'll look to build on Tuesday's outing his next time out, which lines up to be a road tilt against the Angels.

JULY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Peña and Paredes homer, Imai fans eight as Astros get by Marlins 5-3

Jeremy Peña and Isaac Paredes hit home runs, Tatsuya Imai struck out eight in six innings, and the Houston Astros beat the Miami Marlins 5-3

JULY 22 • Associated Press

Deadspin | Astros' Tatsuya Imai eager to regain form vs. slumping Marlins Deadspin | Astros' Tatsuya Imai eager to regain form vs. slumping Marlins

JULY 21 • DEADSPIN.COM

No-decision against Washington Imai did not factor into Tuesday's decision against the Nationals, allowing two runs on four hits and threw walks while striking out three across 3.2 innings.

Impact Imai put the Astros on the back foot early by giving up a leadoff home run to James Wood. Imai yielded another run in the second and ran up his pitch count to 84 (52 strikes) before being pulled in the fourth inning. He's recorded only 15 outs over his last two starts, which comes after he tossed back-to-back quality starts with 10-plus strikeouts in each of those outings, and he sits at a 6.06 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 52 innings this season. Whether Imai gets one last turn in the rotation before the All-Star break largely depends on whether Ronel Blanco (elbow) will be activated off the 60-day IL for the Astros' weekend road series against the Rangers.

JULY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Jose Altuve homers, Nick Allen drives in 3 as the Astros beat the Nationals 6-3

Jose Altuve homered, Nick Allen drove in a season-high three runs and the Houston Astros beat the Washington Nationals 6-3 on Tuesday night

JULY 8 • Associated Press

Astros demote starting pitcher Mike Burrows to Triple-A after 10-run outing

The Houston Astros have optioned right-hander Mike Burrows to Triple-A Sugar Land

JULY 7 • Associated Press

Only gets four outs in loss Imai (5-4) picked up the loss Wednesday against the Twins after allowing five runs on four hits and five walks across 1.1 innings. He struck out two.

Impact The start today was the latest hiccup in Imai's up-and-down first season in the MLB as he struggled with control and the long ball on Wednesday. After striking out 21 in his last two starts, Imai only struck out two and was pulled after he gave up home runs in the first two innings to Josh Bell and Kody Clemens. Imai picked up his first loss since May and raised his ERA to 6.14 and his WHIP to 1.47. The 28-year-old will presumably start in Washington next week.

JULY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Taj Bradley fans 11 in Twins' 8-3 win over the Astros

Taj Bradley struck out 11 to tie his career high, Josh Bell, Kody Clemens and Luke Keaschall homered and the Minnesota Twins beat the Houston Astros 8-3 on Wednesday night

JULY 2 • Associated Press

Deadspin | Astros' Tatsuya Imai dominates Tigers en route to 1-run victory Deadspin | Astros' Tatsuya Imai dominates Tigers en route to 1-run victory

JUNE 26 • DEADSPIN.COM

This Tatsuya Imai pitch was so good the broadcast booth lost its mind | Sporting News Tatsuya Imai's slider is a work of art.

JUNE 26 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Twirls gem in fifth win Imai (5-3) notched the win Thursday against the Tigers, allowing no runs on two hits and one walk in six innings. He struck out 10.

Impact Imai was brilliant on the mound Thursday, scattering two singles over six shutout innings. The 28-year-old right-hander has recorded double-digit strikeouts in back-to-back quality starts, a stretch which comes on the heels of his second-shortest outing of the season June 12 in Kansas City. Imai will try to further improve on his 5.36 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 58:25 K:BB over 47 innings in his next scheduled appearance at home versus the Twins.

JUNE 26 • ROTOWIRE

Imai strikes out 10 as Astros beat Tigers 2-1 and extend winning streak to 3 games

Tatsuya Imai struck out 10 in six scoreless innings and Taylor Trammell homered to lead the Houston Astros to a 2-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Thursday night

JUNE 26 • Associated Press

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