Main Photo Credits: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Astros Land Japanese Starter Tatsuya Imai

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Matthew Nethercott | Last updated Jan 1, 2026 12:53 PM ET

Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai and the Houston Astros have reached an agreement on a three-year, $63 million contract. The deal, which includes player opt-outs after each season, carries an average annual value of $21 million — the second-highest AAV for a Japanese starter in MLB history, trailing only Yoshinobu Yamamoto. This landmark signing brings the first Japanese-born player to Houston since infielder Kazuo Matsui joined the club in 2007, signaling a major shift in the team’s international recruitment strategy.

Astros Land Japanese Starter Tatsuya Imai

BREAKING: Tatsuya Imai goes to Astros
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 1, 2026

About Imai

At just 27 years old, Imai arrives in the Major Leagues at the peak of his physical prime. During a dominant 2025 campaign with the Saitama Seibu Lions, he emerged as an elite force. He posted a stellar 1.94 ERA and racking up 178 strikeouts over 163.2 innings. His arrival gives the Astros with a high-ceiling arm that will slot immediately into the middle of a rotation hungry for stability.

Imai is filthy. pic.twitter.com/DMqM8stqHY
— Matthew Nethercott (@mnethercott_) November 30, 2025

Impact in Houston

The acquisition is a clear statement from an Astros team looking to reclaim its status as a postseason powerhouse. After a streak of seven consecutive ALCS appearances was snapped in 2024, the 2025 season ended in rare disappointment as the club missed the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade. The Astros knew they needed a big-time starter to replace Framber Vladez, and Imai could provide them with that upside. By securing a premier talent through the posting system, the Astros are showing they want to compete. More importantly, the move positions Houston to challenge the Dodgers’ “super-team” dominance. Houston does not have the financial means to spend the way the Dodgers do. They still know how to put a team together. Signing Imai is a by high, sell high type of contract, something Houston’s front office has mastered.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: