NEW YORK – On Friday, the Houston Astros revealed they have secured Japanese right-handed pitcher Tatsuya Imai from the Seibu Lions through the posting system, signing him to a three-year contract worth $54 million.
The agreement contains a provision that lets Imai withdraw after the 2026 and 2027 campaigns, potentially allowing the former Seibu star to receive as much as $63 million in additional incentives, as reported by American media.
The Astros intend to formally present the 27-year-old during a press event on Monday.
Houston is aiming to make a comeback to Major League Baseball’s top tier following its World Series victories in 2017 and 2022, though it failed to qualify for the playoffs last season. The team has claimed the American League West division title seven times over the past nine years.
Imai signed with the Lions in 2017 right after high school, being the team’s highest selected draft pick. He has secured double-digit victories in each of the last three seasons and topped the Pacific League with 187 strikeouts in 2024.
Over the course of eight seasons with Seibu, Imai achieved a 58-45 win-loss record, an ERA of 3.15, and recorded 907 strikeouts in 963 and two-thirds innings pitched.
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