Houston Astros manager Joe Espada. Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

Astros start the new year off right by adding Tatsuya Imai

By Zachary Cariola | Last updated Jan 1, 2026 1:06 PM ET

The Houston Astros kicked off 2026 with a bang by adding Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai to their pitching staff.

Imai, 27, was one of a handful of talented players from the NPB to be available on the free agent market this winter,

Houston signed Imai to a three-year contract, which can max out at $63 million, according to The Athletic's Chandler Rome. Rome notes that Imai has the second-highest average annual value among Japanese-born players, with his compatriot and World Series Champion Yoshinobu Yamamoto (12-year, $325 million) being the highest.

Imai is coming off one of his best seasons in the NPB, going 10-5 with a 1.92 ERA in 24 games and striking out 178 batters in 163.2 innings. The one issue with Imai, which led some teams to hesitate to sign him, was his walks: a career BB/9 of 4.4.

Imai's AAV starts at $18 million per season and can max out at $21 million per season based on innings pitched, source tells @TheAthletic
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) January 1, 2026

The Astros found their potential No. 2 starter to back up ace Hunter Brown

The Astros, despite a lack of star power in their starting rotation, had one of the better staffs in baseball in 2025, with a 3.97 starters ERA (14th), led by All-Star and top three Cy Young Award finisher Hunter Brown (12-9 with a 2.43 ERA). Signing Imai gives the Astros a potential No. 2 to back up Brown, and at the very least a great No. 3.

After failing to make the postseason for the first time in eight years in 2025, the Astros and owner Jim Crane hope to start a new streak in 2026, with Brown and now Imai being the faces of the new core.

Zachary Cariola

My name is Zachary Cariola and I have been a sports fan for as long as I can remember. My areas of expertise are MLB, NBA, and NFL. When I’m not writing, I love spending time with my family and learning history.

More must-reads: