Tatsuya Imai throws 6 no-hit innings vs. Rangers, 2 starts after disastrous return from injured list

Tatsuya Imai’s return on May 12 from the injured list was a disaster.

The Japanese player playing his fourth MLB game for the Houston Astros allowed 5 hits, 6 earned runs, 3 walks and 2 hits in a 10-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners and left the game with a 9.24 ERA.

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These struggles seem to be behind him.

Making his second start since that collapse against the Mariners, Imai pitched six hitless innings against the Texas Rangers on Monday night. He struck out two and walked four. He did not return in the seventh inning.

The no-hitter was still intact, but Imai had already thrown 97 pitches in six innings. With a 9-0 lead and Imai’s high pitch count, Astros manager Joe Espada opted not to further stress his starter’s arm. Imai had already spent part of his first MLB season on the IL with arm fatigue.

But the Astros can leave Monday’s outing feeling considerably better about Imai’s MLB prospects than they did two weeks ago. His ERA still stands at 6.17. But it’s more than three races better than May 12.

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Imai, 28, joined MLB this season after being part of three Japanese Pacific League All-Star teams as a member of the Seibu Lions. He posted a 1.92 ERA with 178 strikeouts and 45 walks in 163 2/3 innings during his final season with the Lions.

The Astros signed him in the offseason to a three-year deal worth a guaranteed $54 million, hoping he could be a top starter in the rotation. Instead, he struggled out of the gates and entered Monday having allowed 3-6 earned runs in four of his previous five starts.

He delivered an earlier outing that hinted at the rise he posted Monday night. In an 11–0 win over the Athletics on April 4, Imai allowed 3 hits while striking out 9 and walking 3 and 5 2/3 innings into the shutout.

This story will be updated.