Tatsuya Imai makes painful admission about disappointing Astros rookie season

The storyline that the Houston Astros just can't quit this season is Tatsuya Imai. Imai undoubtedly was the biggest gamble Dana Brown made during the offseason, and at every tun this season, there's been a question of if the pairing of Imai and the Astros was going to work.

Imai was moved to the bullpen at the start of August, and to his credit, he has finally found some success. He's made two appearances, tossing six scoreless inning, and striking out nearly 35% of the hitter's he's faced. His command also appears to be better, walking only two of the 23 batters he's faced since moving to bullpen.

At long last, it finally appears that the Astros have found something that Imai is actually good at. The problem is that there's two months left in the 2026 season, and ignores the fact that his creative three-year deal worth $54 million was designed to be structured around his ascent as a starting pitcher.

That hasn't happened, and while the Astros still have a massive need in their rotation, it doesn't sound like it will happen this season. The Athletic's Chandler Rome, in what appears to be his hobby this season, has another think piece on Imai and his standing with the Astros.

Tatsuya Imai's rookie season has been met with much thought and little action from Astros

Most of what's said is what Astros fans already know; the relationship between team and player seemed off at the start of the season, there's been signs of progress, there's been signs of frustration, but no one really knows what's next. But there was some important quotes from Imai that reveal where his mindset currently is.

“I want to be a starter and back in the rotation, but right now, we’re in a tough situation where we want to win this division,” Imai said. “The second team and third team are really close behind. We have to win these games. That’s why I really understand how the team has made the decision.”

In other words, Imai knows that he's currently a liability for the Astros when he's pitching out of the rotation. For better or worse, it also sounds like Imai is resigned to that reality for the rest of this season.

“It’s my rookie year. Yes, I do have to perform, but I have to adjust and experience everything so it goes smooth in my second year and third year,” Imai said. “I think, for now, I just have to try out everything and perform well. For my second year and third year, I want to be back in the rotation and perform like I did in NPB.”

It's all kind of blah. Imai's recent success shouldn't be scoffed at, but at the end of the day, none of it matters unless he's finding that success as a starting pitcher. The Astros will have their work cut out for them this offseason, as Imai isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Considering the Astros could be operating with a new general manager and manager, that may not bode well for Imai getting on the same page with the team.

Funny enough, Imai's failure as a starting pitcher, in part, could be the reason why Brown is not retained as general manager after this season.

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