Imai's Splitter Wows Astros Camp; Teammates Say 'Never Seen a Pitch Like That'
Rising right-hander Tatsuya Imai drew loud reactions during spring training, leaving the astros' clubhouse buzzing after his first live batting practice and the continued praise for a splitter that teammates called unique. The early impressions matter because Houston is looking to replace a departed starter and has high expectations for its new acquisition.
Astros: Development details
Imai, 27, threw his first live batting-practice session on Friday, facing five hitters including Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa while much of the organization watched, including general manager Dana Brown. Observers noted a fastball that sat in the low- to mid-90s and a signature splitter that drew specific attention: outfielder Taylor Trammell said he had "never seen a pitch like that before in my life, " and Correa described the pitch as one that "blends in with the fastball" before dropping. Pitching coach Josh Miller characterized Imai as comfortable on the mound and said the club plans to hold a goals meeting with him soon, though Miller does not expect immediate changes to the pitcher's routine.
Imai arrived on a three-year, $54 million contract after a career in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball in which he was a three-time All-Star. His NPB totals include a 58-45 record, a 3. 15 ERA, a 1. 27 WHIP and 907 strikeouts over 963. 2 innings. Those figures help explain the attention around his debut live session and the front office presence at the workout.
Context and escalation
The timing of Imai's arrival coincides with a tangible vacancy in Houston's rotation. Framber Valdez left for a three-year, $115 million deal with Detroit, creating an opening that Imai is in line to fill. Club officials have discussed how he fits behind the team's established ace, Hunter Brown, and among other rotation candidates such as Cristian Javier, Lance McCullers Jr. and Mike Burrows.
Team manager Joe Espada and the rest of the staff have weighed integration steps carefully: Miller said the staff wanted to see Imai throw live before a formal goals meeting and signaled that any development work would be deliberate. The newcomer's on-field performance, coupled with internal assessments, will determine whether he immediately slots into a top rotation spot.
Immediate impact
In the short term, Imai's live session had measurable consequences for clubhouse dynamics. The session drew nearly the entire clubhouse and front office, and teammates greeted him warmly afterward—Correa hugged him at the mound, and multiple players stopped by his locker. That reception underlines the quick cultural fit coaches and teammates.
On the competitive side, the club's recent on-field struggles add urgency: Houston finished 87-75 last season and missed the playoffs. With that backdrop, the organization is treating spring impressions as more consequential than in a typical year. Imai's arsenal—particularly the splitter—has already altered the conversation about the rotation, and his live-feel fastball velocity measured in the low- to mid-90s gives staffers concrete data to evaluate.
Forward outlook
What makes this notable is the convergence of a high-profile signing, an immediate need in the starting rotation and early, high-impact performance: the club plans a goals meeting with Imai soon and will continue to monitor live throwing sessions as the spring progresses. The next confirmed milestone is that meeting, which coaching staff say will happen in the near term, and further bullpen and live batting repetitions will provide the data the staff needs to assign Imai a role in the rotation.
Beyond Imai's individual path, roster decisions tied to infield flexibility and player movement remain active. One clubhouse moment underscoring the team's effort to maintain normalcy: teammates celebrated Isaac Paredes' birthday with a mariachi band during camp, a ritual carried over from last spring as the club navigates roster questions that include potential trades and role assignments.
For now, Imai's throwing sessions and the continuing evaluations by coaches and executives will determine how quickly the new signee contributes on the mound, with clear checkpoints—live sessions, the goals meeting and Spring Training workload progress—lining up as the club finalizes its rotation plans.
