WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — After weeks of anticipation and strong reviews from teammates, Tatsuya Imai is scheduled to make his first game appearance in an Astros uniform Thursday afternoon.
The 27-year-old right-hander will start Houston’s split-squad home game against the Mets at CACTI Park (12:05 p.m. CT), while another group travels to Jupiter to face the Cardinals.
A Major Investment Takes the Mound
Imai arrives as Houston’s biggest offseason addition, signing a three-year, $54 million deal after a standout career in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. He posted a 1.92 ERA for the Seibu Lions in 2025, earning his third consecutive All-Star selection while striking out more than a batter per inning.
His splitter has drawn consistent praise in camp. Teammates have described the pitch’s late dive as difficult to track, and it has been a focal point during live batting practice sessions.
Thursday marks Imai’s first official game action for Houston after facing Astros hitters in live BP on February 20. He enters on five days’ rest, a schedule the club plans to maintain as part of a six-man rotation to open the season.
Manager Joe Espada has not specified Imai’s pitch count, but early spring outings typically fall in the two-to-three inning range as starters build toward Opening Day.
Rotation Picture Still Taking Shape
Imai and Hunter Brown project near the top of the rotation, but several spots remain unsettled. Houston’s early schedule—26 games in the first 28 days—has prompted plans for a six-man rotation, intensifying competition for remaining roles.
Mike Burrows, Cristian Javier, Spencer Arrighetti, Lance McCullers Jr., and Ryan Weiss are among those vying for innings as camp progresses.
Beyond the debut itself, Thursday provides the first look at how Imai’s repertoire translates against opposing hitters. His fastball sits in the mid-90s, but the splitter will draw the most attention as he faces live competition for the first time in an Astros uniform.