Tatsuya Imai to return to Astros rotation vs. Mariners, despite rough rehab outings

AL EastBlue JaysOriolesRaysRed SoxYankeesAL CentralGuardiansRoyalsTigersTwinsWhite SoxAL WestAngelsAstrosAthleticsMarinersRangersNL EastBravesMarlinsMetsNationalsPhilliesNL CentralBrewersCardinalsCubsPiratesRedsNL WestDiamondbacksDodgersGiantsPadresRockiesScores & ScheduleStandingsPodcastsThe Windup NewsletterFantasyMLB ProspectsMLB OddsMLB PicksPower RankingsFans Speak UpMLB Season Tatsuya Imai allowed six runs, walked eight and gave up seven hits in two rehab starts (five innings). Jack Compton / Getty Images Share articleHOUSTON — Despite ominous results during two minor-league rehab starts, Tatsuya Imai will return to a Houston Astros’ rotation in dire need of stability. Whether he is the pitcher to provide it remains a legitimate question, but given Imai’s paycheck and professional experience, a desperate team has no choice but to find out. “We went out and we got him because he belongs in this rotation — the Astros’ rotation,” manager Joe Espada said on Wednesday morning. “He’s ready to pitch in the big leagues. We need him to be the guy we know he’s capable of being. He’s ready to go. We’re going to get him in here and we’re going to get him right.” Imai will re-join the Astros’ starting rotation during their upcoming series against the Seattle Mariners, general manager Dana Brown said. Brown did not specify which day Imai will start, but presuming the Astros want to keep Imai pitching on five days of rest as he did in NPB, Monday’s series-opener would be the most logical spot. After an off day on Thursday, the Astros will enter a stretch of 13 consecutive games. For a team already running two bullpen games every five days — and without any well-performing starters in the upper minor leagues — there is almost no other option but to insert Imai back into the major-league rotation. Imai, who has been on the injured list since April 12 with “arm fatigue,” made a second minor-league start on Tuesday night with Triple-A Sugar Land. The team’s initial plans were for Imai to make just one rehab appearance, but his results in his initial outing were so concerning that a second was scheduled. Before it began, Espada said the team wanted “four or five innings” and for Imai to “throw a ton of strikes and (get) balls in play (rather) than seeing walks.” In response, Imai walked five batters across three innings and threw just 27 of his 63 pitches for strikes. Across his two minor-league rehab appearances, Imai issued eight walks and threw 47.5 percent of his pitches for strikes. Imai had a 54.2 percent strike rate and walked 11 batters during his first three major-league starts. On Wednesday, Brown mused that Imai may be giving major-league hitters “too much credit.” “Even the great guys fail seven times out of 10,” Brown said. “I think you get these good hitters that step into the box every night, every inning and sometimes you may shy away from the zone and try to pitch to the edges. That’s not him. He’s got good stuff. His stuff plays and we’re reiterating — your stuff will play at the major-league level. But you have to get in the strike zone. He clearly understands that.” Executing it is another matter. After Tuesday’s outing, Imai said the pitch clock and differences in scouting report emphases are somewhat to blame for his command issues. Imai’s interpreter, Shio Enomoto, previously said the 27-year-old Japanese right-hander is “not able to adjust to the American lifestyle.” “A big part of it is just allowing him to free his mind up (and) attack major-league hitters like he used to attack hitters in Japan. Don’t overthink it and just lock in and be yourself,” said Brown, who signed Imai to a three-year, $54 million contract this winter with opt-outs after this season and next. “That’s a big point we’re trying to make to him: just be yourself and have confidence in the stuff because your stuff plays at this level.” Imai is hearing a similar sentiment from around the clubhouse. Lockermate Hunter Brown has been a sounding board during some of his struggles, Imai said on Tuesday. Brown’s message? “Be me,” Imai said through Enomoto. “That was really helpful. I’m thinking just keep doing what I’ve been doing in Japan, keep attacking the zone, do the stuff I did in Japan and then adjust more and more and help the team.” Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms