Imai's Rehab: Astros Pitcher Set for Double-A Debut

0:00It's April 26th. This is MLB News, today baseball coverage powered by AI. Houston Astral's pitcher Tatsuya Imi is set to kick off his rehab assignment with double A Corpus Christi on Tuesday. The 27-year-old right-hander landed on the injured list back on April 12th, due to right arm fatigue. If his latest bullpen session goes well, he'll take the mound against the Frisco Rough Riders. Major Joe Espada watched Imi throw a Dakin Park before Sunday's finale against the Yankees. Espada says Imi is fully stretched out and could handle four or five innings, depending on his efficiency. No word yet on how many rehab starts he'll need before returning to the big leagues. Imi came over from Japan's Sable Lions on a $54 million three-year deal with opt-outs after each of the first two seasons. In his initial three Major League starts, he posted a rough 7.27 ERA and couldn't even finish the first inning in his last outing. Against Seattle on April 10th.

1:01The move to the states hit him harder than expected, but Espada reports real progress. Imi is opening up more with the staff and his strength coach just arrived to round out his routine. Things are looking up mentally for Imi as he builds back toward the Astral's rotation. Keep an eye on that double A debut.