Overview
- Imaging on Tatsuya Imai’s right arm came back clean Tuesday, and the Astros said he remains on the 15-day injured list for fatigue while he builds strength before throwing again.
- Imai said through interpreter Shio Enomoto that trouble adjusting to the American lifestyle has contributed to his fatigue, pointing to different travel routines and when players eat.
- The right-hander has logged 8⅔ innings across three starts with a 7.27 ERA, including an April 10 outing in Seattle where he recorded one out with four walks and three earned runs.
- Manager Joe Espada and GM Dana Brown said the club will help Imai acclimate, and Espada added that he is shut down from throwing with no return timeline as the team monitors arm strength.
- Houston’s rotation depth is under strain with starters Hunter Brown and Cristian Javier also on the IL, and Imai is still adjusting to MLB differences such as a larger ball, varied mound slopes, longer travel, and a five-day starter rhythm rather than NPB’s weekly schedule.