Inside Tatsuya Imai's 'very rare' Spring Training practice routine with Astros

The Houston Astros dipped into the Japanese market this offseason, signing Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai to a three-year, $54 million contract that includes opt-outs after the 2026 and 2027 seasons. 

As one of the best pitchers in Nippon Professional Baseball with the Saitama Seibu Lions, Imai earned three All-Star selections and developed a routine that's very uncommon for a Major League starter. 

Most starting pitchers rest their arms the day before their next start. They keep it light with band work and throw plyo balls against a wall. 

Not Imai. He's doing something that Astros manager Joe Espada calls "very rare" to see. 

Imai throws bullpens the day before he starts 

"Tatsuya Imai, who starts tomorrow, is throwing a bullpen session right now," the Houston Chronicle's Matt Kawahara wrote Tuesday on X. "He did the same a day before his last start. Joe Espada said the 'very rare' practice was part of Imai's routine in Japan, and Imai 'just likes to get a feel for his pitches' off the mound before outings." 

Houston will likely open the regular season with a six-man rotation to help Imai acclimate to the Major Leagues, primarily because most NPB clubs utilize six starting pitchers. 

The Astros could continue to allow Imai to continue his routine as long as it does not interfere with his performance on the mound. The 27-year-old has yet to allow a run and has three strikeouts in two spring training outings. 

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