Astros Move Tatsuya Imai to Bullpen for Rangers Series

The team will use short relief outings to correct mechanical problems and evaluate whether he can return to the rotation.

Overview

Manager Joe Espada announced the temporary shift on Friday and said the move will begin with Houston’s weekend series against the Texas Rangers.
The change follows a rough start against the Angels in which Imai recorded two outs, allowed two runs and issued four walks.
Imai has had an uneven first season with Houston, posting a 6-4 record, a 5.83 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 58 2/3 innings.
Durability concerns drove the decision because Imai has failed to get past three innings in five of 15 starts and exited in the first inning three times.
Houston signed Imai to a three-year, $54 million deal after eight seasons in Japan and plans to use relief stints to rebuild his mechanics and confidence with the goal of returning him to a starting role.