Tatsuya Imai’s spot in Astros’ rotation is in peril after latest implosion

ANAHEIM, Calif. — After failing to record three outs for the third time this season, Tatsuya Imai’s future in the Houston Astros’ rotation is in limbo.

Astros manager Joe Espada spoke with his struggling rookie starter in the Angel Stadium dugout on Tuesday, one day after Imai recorded just two outs, walked four and allowed a hit and a balk in Houston’s eventual 6-4 win over the Angels.

Imai’s next scheduled turn in Houston’s rotation would be on Sunday against the American League West-leading Texas Rangers. Starting Imai seems misguided for an Astros team that entered Tuesday two games behind Texas for the division lead. In Imai’s stead, the team could deploy breakout right-hander Peter Lambert on four days of rest.

“After the off-day, we’ll sit down and map things out going forward for the Rangers and Blue Jays series,” Espada said. “… We did not specifically give him a timetable of when he’s going to be on the mound again.”

Imai’s season has been, at best, up and down. The 28-year-old former Nippon Professional Baseball All-Star signed a three-year, $54 million contract last offseason. In his first year, he has a 5.83 ERA through 15 starts and has 40 walks in 58 ⅔ innings.

Imai has failed to get through five innings in eight of his 15 starts, which overworks the Astros bullpen on the days he pitches and puts the club in perilous predicaments for the next two or three games.

On Monday, for instance, Houston had to burn AJ Blubaugh for 48 pitches and Cristian Javier for another 70, making both men unavailable for at least the next three days. It leaves the Astros with essentially a six-man bullpen. One of those relievers is closer Josh Hader, who will not pitch unless it is the ninth inning of a save situation.

At Imai’s best, though, he’s been electric. His last start was a six-inning, one-run, eight-strikeout masterpiece against the Miami Marlins. Five times this season, Imai has pitched six innings and allowed three or fewer runs. But at his worst, like on Monday night, it’s been disastrous.

Espada did not say whether there have been conversations about moving Imai to the bullpen, but given his 15.1 percent walk rate and inability to throw strikes, it’s worth wondering how effective Imai would be in relief. Houston also already has two long relievers in Javier and Blubaugh, both of whom have engendered far more trust from team officials.

Imai’s contract does allow him to be optioned to the minor leagues, but only if he gives his consent. Asked on Tuesday whether the major-league roster is the best place for Imai to work through command issues, Espada acknowledged “those conversations do happen.”

“I think Imai has shown that he belongs at the major-league level,” Espada said. “The ups and downs, we’ve been able to work through them at this level. So I don’t think that’s necessary for him to work through anything in the minor leagues.”

Getting Imai, and likely his agent, Scott Boras, to approve any potential demotion might be a tall order.

Espada said the team views Imai’s struggles as mechanical, noting inconsistencies in his release point, landing spot and an inability to repeat his delivery. Team officials met with Imai during the All-Star break and implored him to implement a third pitch, whether his splitter or changeup, to add some unpredictability. Through two post-All-Star starts, Imai has obliged.

Imai has spoken multiple times about his inability to adjust to the minor differences in mounds at road stadiums. Before Monday, Imai had never pitched at Angel Stadium. His two other outings of less than one inning also came away from Daikin Park.

Imai did, however, start a combined no-hitter at Globe Life Field on May 25. And a month later, he struck out 10 Detroit Tigers across six innings of scoreless ball at Comerica Park.

Perhaps nothing better epitomizes Imai’s enigmatic first year in Major League Baseball. He spoke in April about the challenges of adapting to living in the United States and the impact it’s had on his struggles on the mound. Imai has since become far more relaxed and convivial inside Houston’s clubhouse.

But this is a results-based business, and it’s worth wondering how much longer the Astros can live with Imai’s.