Tatsuya Imai’s debut struggles are indicative of Astros’ much bigger problem

It wasn't the strongest of debuts for Houston Astros starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai. The Astros' top free-agent addition couldn't reach the fourth inning of his start against the Los Angeles Angels over the weekend, totaling 74 pitches while issuing 4 walks. It's certainly too early to make any conclusion on Imai's profile in the Astros' rotation, but it would be fair to wonder if Houston had the best approach this offseason.

Faced with the reality that rotation was a question mark for most of last season when they had both Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez at the top of it, the idea that the Astros were comfortable in letting Valdez walk via free agency didn't instill confidence in the team's plan.

A plan that was centered on upside plays by signing Imai and trading for Mike Burrows, but still filled with questions. The Astros were seeking quantity, considering they still have several pitchers recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Tatsuya Imai struggles could signal deeper Astros' roster concern

As it stands, the Astros have entered the season with a rotation of Hunter Brown, Burrows, Cristian Javier, Imai, and Lance McCullers Jr. Certainly a rotation filled with potential, but one that may not be capable of the task in front of them.

With the Astros' bullpen dealing with injuries to Josh Hader, Enyel De Los Santos, Nate Pearson, and Bennett Sousa, the starting rotation needs to carry the pitching staff. Especially when the team's best reliever in Hader's place, Bryan Abreu, is working through a dip in velocity.

Outside of McCullers, who tallied nine strikeouts in seven innings of work on Monday night, the Astros' rotation has had mixed results to open the season. Brown walked four in less than five innings of work last Thursday, Burrows gave up five runs on nine hits, and Javier gave up six runs in less than five innings of work. In other words, sure, Imai's start was rough, but that has been the theme throughout Houston's entire rotation.

If the Astros' starting rotation proves to be as unreliable as it was last season, it's going to be a long summer in Houston. One that likely seals the fate of general manager Dana Brown at the end of the season. Or sooner if Astros' owner Jim Crane gets antsy over the team's mixed start to the season.