Astros' $54M pitcher blames arm fatigue on struggle to adjust to American lifestyle

Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai signed pinch nan Houston Astros this offseason, and nan modulation to nan American manner has not been easy for him.

Imai, 27, was precocious placed connected nan injured database pinch correct limb fatigue, and successful his first comments since nan injury, he said, done an interpreter, nan accommodation to nan American manner mightiness beryllium nan reason.

"He’s not capable to set to nan American lifestyle," Imai’s interpreter, Shio Enomoto, said, according to The Athletic. "Baseball and extracurricular of baseball. That’s astir apt nan logic (for his limb fatigue)."

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Houston Astros starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai walks backmost to nan dugout aft being removed during nan first inning against nan Seattle Mariners successful Seattle, Washington, connected April 10, 2026. (Lindsey Wasson/AP Photo)

Through an interpreter, Imai said nan timing of erstwhile players eat meal aft a crippled is different, successful summation to travel.

"For example, nan recreation is different from Japan," Imai said, according to Enomoto. "The timing erstwhile nan players eat. In Japan, erstwhile they get backmost to nan hotel, they eat their dinner. Here, nan players eat astatine nan stadium."

"He thought it would beryllium nan aforesaid arsenic successful Japan, for example, eating meal astatine nan hotel."

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Houston Astros starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai reacts aft allowing a tally connected a chaotic transportation during nan first inning against nan Seattle Mariners successful Seattle, Washington, connected April 10, 2026. (Lindsey Wasson/AP Photo)

Imai said that he is going to usage his clip on IL to set and "try to go better." He does not presently person immoderate timeline for his return and is 1 of 3 Astros starting pitchers connected nan IL.

Imai sounded successful nan NPB for 8 seasons and recorded a 3.15 ERA successful 159 starts and became 1 of nan champion starting pitchers successful nan league.

The Astros signed Imai to a three-year, $54 cardinal statement successful nan offseason, but nan right-hander struggled earlier landing connected nan IL. In 3 starts, he had a 7.27 ERA successful his first 8.2 major-league innings.

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Houston Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai warms up earlier a shot crippled against nan Colorado Rockies successful Houston, Texas, connected April 15, 2026. (Kevin M. Cox/AP Photo)

In his past start, he only recorded 1 retired against nan Seattle Mariners earlier leaving pinch an injury. He allowed 3 runs connected 1 hit, 4 walks and 1 deed batter earlier departing.

The Astros (8-11), who person won 2 consecutive complete nan Colorado Rockies (6-12), will look to complete nan three-game expanse erstwhile they play nan Rockies connected Thursday astatine 8:10 p.m. ET.

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