HOUSTON – The Houston Astros have finally received positive news from Tatsuya Imai. The Japanese pitcher has started playing catch again at Daikin Park after a break due to a right arm injury.

But while fans are waiting for good news, the team’s response remains uncertain: no one knows when he will return to the mound.

This information was confirmed after the Astros’ latest practice, where Imai showed the first signs of improvement since being placed on the injury list 15 days prior. However, the joy was quickly replaced by worry as the pitcher himself admitted he still couldn’t determine a return date.

For Houston, this isn’t just the story of an injured player.

It’s the story of a team desperate for someone to save their rotation.

According to the Astros, scans of Imai’s shoulder and arm from last week were “clean,” revealing no serious structural damage. That gave the coaching staff a temporary sigh of relief, as the biggest fear is always the long-term problems with the pitcher.

Currently, the team’s main goal is to help Imai rebuild his arm strength and pitching feel. That’s why his ability to play catch on Thursday is considered a crucial first step.

But when asked about the arm fatigue, Imai’s interpreter revealed something even more significant:

“During the game, he couldn’t generate enough power to control the ball.”

A short statement, but enough to show that the problem wasn’t simply pain – it was a lack of control, a vital element for a professional pitcher.

Imai joined the Astros in January on a three-year, $54 million contract, carrying high expectations after his successful stint in Japan. Houston believed they had found a crucial piece for their rotation.

But things didn’t go as planned.

In his most recent game in Seattle, Imai only made 1 out before conceding 3 runs and 4 walks. After the game, he admitted the mound at T-Mobile Park was too hard and significantly affected his shooting feel.

Shortly after that, the Astros were forced to add him to their injured list.

Instead of becoming a new cornerstone, Imai is now struggling to rediscover himself in his first few months in MLB.

Imai’s injury came at a time when Houston was facing a shooting crisis. In just the first three weeks of the season, the Astros had to put four starters on the injury list.

As a result, the team almost had to play a bullpen game in their 2-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies. Ryan Weiss – in his Major League starting debut – only managed 3 2/3 innings, conceding 2 runs, 4 walks, and 3 hits.

Relievers Christian Roa, AJ Blubaugh, and Kei-Wei Teng then had to carry the rest of the game. But that was only a temporary solution.

Immediately, the Astros had to call in Peter Lambert from Triple-A to start the series opening game against the Cardinals. Lambert had an ERA of 1.84 after 14 2/3 innings in the Minor League and would become Houston’s tenth different starter in just 21 games of the season.

That number speaks volumes.

New life is harder than people think.

Imai’s difficulties don’t just come from the basketball court.

In an interview earlier this week, the Japanese pitcher admitted he’s still trying to adapt to life in America. According to his interpreter, everything is different – ​​from travel schedules and daily routines to the eating habits of MLB players.

“In Japan, players usually eat dinner when they return to their hotels. Here, everyone eats right on the court. That’s one of the things he has to adapt to.”

It may sound like a small thing, but for a top-level athlete, a change in routine can directly impact their fitness, recovery, and mental state during competition.

Imai had just left Japan for spring training in Florida, and immediately embarked on a 12-day road trip through three cities: West Sacramento, Denver, and Seattle.

That’s an intense schedule even for someone accustomed to MLB – let alone an international rookie learning to adapt to a new culture.

Coach Joe Espada said he proactively contacted several other managers who had worked with Japanese players to ask for advice on how to support Imai.

And the answer he received was always the same: give him time.

Espada shared that he wants to be more than just a coach – someone Imai can talk to, share about his family, friends, and things outside of baseball.

That detail shows the Astros understand: to save Imai, it’s not just about restoring his arm.

They also need to help him find his place here.

It’s still too early to judge Tatsuya Imai as a failed signing. He has talent, a solid foundation, and is now showing the first signs of recovery.

But the coming weeks will be the real test.

Will he regain his grip strength? Will he overcome the shock of the early season? Will he adapt to the harsh MLB rhythm?

The Astros are waiting for the answers.

Today, the good news is that Tatsuya Imai has returned to the mound.

The bad news is that no one knows when he will be back on the mound.

And for Houston – a team struggling with a pitching crisis – each day feels much longer than usual.