The Houston Astros have signed Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai to a three-year, $54 million contract, the club announced, adding a frontline starter to the rotation ahead of the 2026 season.
The deal includes player opt-outs after the 2026 and 2027 seasons and a $2 million signing bonus, with salaries of $16 million in 2026 and $18 million in both 2027 and 2028.
Tatsuya Imai’s NPB Resume
Imai, 27, was a three-time All-Star with the Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball and is coming off a dominant 2025 season:
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1.92 ERA
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178 strikeouts in 163⅔ innings
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24 starts
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10–5 record
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0.89 WHIP (lowest among qualified Pacific League pitchers)
He also participated in a combined no-hitter on April 18 during the 2025 season.
Contract Details and Incentives
Imai’s contract includes up to $9 million in performance incentives, beginning in 2026:
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Bonuses at 80, 90, and 100 innings pitched
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Incentives that can escalate future salaries
If all incentives are reached, the deal could be worth up to $63 million over three years.
Astros Rotation Impact
The signing addresses Houston’s rotation needs after the club missed the postseason for the first time since 2016. Imai is expected to slot near the top of the rotation alongside Hunter Brown, with longtime ace Framber Valdez expected to depart via free agency.
General Manager Dana Brown indicated the Astros may employ a six-man rotation during the 2026 season to help manage pitcher workloads.
Astros History and Context
Imai becomes the fourth Japanese-born player in Astros history, joining:
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Kaz Matsui
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Norichika Aoki
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Yusei Kikuchi
He is also the first Japanese player acquired via the NPB posting system in franchise history.
Among Japanese pitchers entering Major League Baseball, Imai’s deal carries the third-highest average annual value, trailing only Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Masahiro Tanaka.