Report: Astros reach deal with RHP Tatsuya Imai

Field Level Media|published: Thu 1st January, 12:47 2026

Feb 17, 2024; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; Detail photo of Houston Astros spring training cap. during workouts at spring training. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

The Houston Astros and star Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai are in agreement on a free agent contract, ESPN reported Thursday.

It's a three-year deal with opt-outs that includes $54 million in guarantees and could be worth up to $63 million, per the report.

It would be the second-largest deal ever in terms of average annual value for a Japanese pitcher behind Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who signed a 12-year, $325 million deal ($27.08 million AAV) with the Los Angeles Dodgers in late 2023.

Imai, 27, was a three-time All-Star in eight seasons with the Seibu Lions in Nippon Professional Baseball.

He finished 10-5 with a 1.92 ERA in 24 games in 2025, striking out 178 batters in 163 2/3 innings.

Imai, who is listed at 5-foot-11 and 154 pounds, was routinely clocked around 93-95 mph with his fastball last season. Identifiable by his flowing brown hair, Imai also throws a sinker and slider and was projected to be a No. 2 or No. 3 starter at the MLB level.

The New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves were all reported to be among teams interested in signing Imai.

--Field Level Media