Tatsuya Imai's odd explanation for injury might make sense

Houston Astros starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai. Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai's odd explanation for injury might actually make sense

By David Hill | Last updated Apr 14, 2026 8:12 PM ET

Tatsuya Imai's adjustment to Major League Baseball has not gone as well as hoped thus far. The Houston Astros pitcher has an interesting explanation as to why that is the case.

According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, Imai said through his interpreter that he is having trouble adjusting to the American lifestyle outside of baseball.

He thinks that adjustment explains the arm fatigue.

Imai elaborated further regarding his adjustment outside of the games. He cited the travel, timing of when players eat and when they get back to the hotel as factors for his struggles.

Asked what has been difficult outside of baseball, Imai replied through an interpreter: "For example, the travel is different from Japan. The timing when the players eat. In Japan, when they get back to the hotel, they eat their dinner. Here, the players eat at the stadium.” https://t.co/K3YV83NMrF
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) April 14, 2026

Houston Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai not the only NPB pitcher who struggled to adjust to MLB schedule

Imai's theory may be closer to the truth than one would think. His best start came on April 4 against the A's when he fired 5.2 shutout innings in Sacramento. The Astros had an off-day on April 2 and played the first game of the series on April 3, giving Imai time to get acclimated and rest.

His next start on April 10 was a different story. Imai recorded only one out while allowing three runs on a hit, four walks and a hit batter against the Mariners. The Astros traveled from Sacramento to Denver to Seattle between his starts. While there was an off-day on the April 9, that is more travel than Imai would be used to during his time in Japan.

Players from Japan tend to take time to adjust to the majors. They have to adjust to a new culture, a different size ball and style of game, travel and a shorter time frame between starts. In Imai's case, his struggles to adapt may have resulted in his placement on the injured list.

David Hill

Based in the mountains of Vermont, Dave has over a decade of experience writing about all things baseball. Just don't ask his thoughts on the universal DH.

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