Tatsuya Imai dominates in victory over Tigers

This was absolutely and unquestionably Imai’s best start as a big leaguer. His famous backwards slider was diabolical, forcing 17 swings-and-misses while working firmly as his primary pitch. He commanded it excellently both low and below the zone as well as fading away from the Guardians’ left-handed hitters. Most impressively, Imai had let up three runs before the third inning was over and it looked like this was going to turn into yet another start that went off the rails. However, he composed himself and dominated from that point on retiring the final 11 batters he faced. So far, his two-pitch approach hasn’t fared particularly well and we must remember that this Guardians’ lineup sans José Ramírez and a handful of other starts is one of the weakest in the league. Still, that slider looks like it can truly carry him when it’s on like it was tonight. He’s scheduled to face the Blue Jays in Toronto next time out.

For the second straight start the Astros gifted Imai a huge lead to pitch with and for the second straight start he did not make things easy for himself. After his offense spotted him nine – yes, nine – runs in the top of the first inning, he could not finish the bottom of the frame. His fastball was erratic and his slider wasn’t good enough to get him out of trouble. That sadly has been the story of his first season stateside as Imai has an ugly 6.43 ERA through 35 innings so far. He’ll have another chance to figure it out next week against the Tigers at home.

This is more like how it was supposed to look for Imai. His famous backwards slider was on point here, forcing 11 of his 16 total swings-and-misses and got some really ugly hacks diving low and in against the Athletics’ right-handed hitters. We would have loved to see Imai be a bit more aggressive with his fastball in the zone, especially after pitching with a huge lead from the second inning onward, but just getting a big strikeout total and win is a huge step in the right direction for Imai. He’s scheduled to face the Royals on the road next time out.

After going six innings in a no-hitter last time out, Imai allowed only three hits today. Unfortunately, one was a 347-foot homer from Jake Bauers that would have been a double or an out in most ballparks. Imai struck out five and walked two while throwing fastballs and sliders on 105 of his 110 pitches. He’ll probably need a third pitch once the league gets more used to him, but for now, he can more than hold his own if he continues to avoid an excessive number of free passes. After the game, he also told reporters that a recent change to shift his body weight onto his left heel has led to him feeling more comfortable and attacking the zone better. If he can continue to get ahead in the zone, we should see his other pitches come into play a bit more. He’ll pitch at home against the A’s next weekend.

Imai authored one of the strangest performances of the season, somehow holding the Rangers hitless for six innings despite issuing four walks and recording just two strikeouts. He threw only 57 of 97 pitches for strikes, but stayed around the zone enough to avoid damage, retiring 15 of the final 16 batters he faced. Okert followed with a scoreless seventh before Santa made his big-league debut, retiring the final six hitters in impressive fashion to complete the first combined no-hitter in the majors since 2024. Imai remains a challenging pitcher to forecast given that he’s barely throwing his splitter in games at this point. He’ll face the Brewers at home to wrap up a two-start week on Sunday.

Imai gave up five hits, walked none and struck out five. He fell to 1-2 with the loss. Imai actually had one of his better starts. He had little trouble with the Twins outside of allowing three runs on two home runs by Josh Bell. Imai walked none and struck out five, which are good signs at least. He has an 8.31 ERA now, though his 4.67 xFIP suggests he really hasn’t been that bad. Imai is lined up to start next week against the Rangers.

Imai’s return didn’t quite go so well. After a scoreless first inning, he gave up a two-run homer to Randy Arozarena in the second. He then stranded two runners in the third before loading the bases in the fourth with no outs on two hit batters and a walk. Dominic Canzone made him pay with a grand slam. Imai would finish out the inning and end his day at 80 pitches. The 28-year-old right-hander now holds a 9.24 ERA, 2.05 WHIP, and a 16/14 K/BB ratio across 12 2/3 innings. He’ll take on the Twins in Minnesota on Monday.

Imai will face the Mariners tonight in his first start since walking four and giving up three runs in one-third of an inning against the same ballclub on Apr. 10. He walked eight and gave up six runs over five innings in his two rehab starts, so he’s not to be trusted in fantasy leagues at the moment.

Imai has continued to struggle with his command during his minor league rehab assignment, so fantasy managers are going to want to take a wait-and-see approach here before considering deploying the 28-year-old right-hander in lineups. Imai registered a troublesome 7.27 ERA, 2.08 WHIP and a 13/11 K/BB ratio over 8 2/3 innings in his first three starts for the Astros before landing on the injured list.

Imai has really struggled with command during his rehab assignment, and recently made comments that he thinks the pitch clock in MLB could be the reason for his issues throwing strikes. Whatever the case may be, the right-hander has not shown enough in his early MLB starts to warrant being used in fantasy leagues right now. If you have him on the IL in a deeper format and want to hold him on your bench through this start, we understand, but we would not be looking to put him into our starting lineup.