Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai is on the 15-day injured list due to arm fatigue after struggling to adjust to the American lifestyle. His recent rehab start has raised further concerns about his performance and health.
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Tatsuya Imai was one of the most exciting additions for Houston, but after a few rough starts and arm fatigue, he hasn't been able to do much for the Astros.
When the Astros hit the road for the first time this season, Imai was sent home due to arm fatigue so the team could further examine his situation. Nothing showed up on the X-ray, but he was placed on the 15-day injured list anyway. Imai reportedly linked his arm fatigue and struggles to adjusting to the American lifestyle.
He has now reportedly started rehab, and instead of positive news, it looks like it has only raised more questions.
With the Astros struggling and their pitching staff thinning out due to injuries, the timing could not be worse. Not only was he supposed to be one of the top starters, but he has not performed well and hasn't had a shot at redemption.
The Astros are currently piecing things together with a rotation that includes Mike Burrows, Lance McCullers Jr., Peter Lambert, Spencer Arrighetti, and Ryan Weiss. The bright spot has been Arrighetti, who owns a 2.00 ERA through his first three starts. After starting the season in Triple-A, he has proven he belongs in the majors as he continues to dominate on the mound.
If Houston hoped for encouraging signs from Imai's rehab outing, they did not get them Tuesday night.
Imai pitched for Double-A Corpus Christi on Tuesday night, finishing with two innings pitched, five runs allowed, six hits, three walks, and two strikeouts.
Tatsuya Imai's arm fatigue is reportedly linked to his struggles in adjusting to the American lifestyle.
Tatsuya Imai is currently on the 15-day injured list as he continues to recover from arm fatigue.
Imai's rehab start has raised more questions about his performance and health, despite initial hopes for recovery.
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The command issues stood out the most, as only 31 of his 59 pitches were strikes.
While the starting rotation has struggled, the bullpen has created even more problems for Houston. The Astros' rotation ERA sits slightly better at 5.66, but relief pitching has pushed the overall staff numbers even higher, per milb.
That has created a difficult cycle for the club. Starters need to pitch deeper into games to protect the bullpen, but inconsistent outings have forced Houston to rely heavily on relievers early and often. As the innings continue to pile up, the pressure only increases on every arm in the staff.
At a time when Houston needed someone to step forward, Arrighetti has answered the call and may now be viewed as one of the club's most dependable arms until reinforcements arrive.
The Astros still need pitching help, but Tatsuya Imai’s early returns suggest he may not be ready to provide it yet.