Former NPB star continues to struggle in MLB

A major offseason acquisition for the Houston Astros was right-handed pitcher Tatsuya Imai. The addition of Imai, though, has not yet panned out.

Tatsuya Imai struggles in return from injured list

Imai signed a three-year, $54 million contract with Houston in the offseason and with the loss of Framber Valdez, Imai was expected to slot right into the No. 2 spot in the Astros rotation.  After posting a 7.27 ERA through three starts, Imai was placed on the injured list. 

He missed just over a month and was activated prior to Tuesday's game against the Seattle Mariners. It is the same Seattle lineup that chased Imai after just 1/3 of an inning in his last start before hitting the injured list.

Imai once again struggled against the Mariners, allowing five hits, six runs, three walks and striking out three. Imai allowed a home run to Randy Arozarena in the second inning, as well as a backbreaking grand slam to Dominic Canzone in the fourth inning.