HOUSTON -- Right-handed pitcher Tatsuya Imai, who was the Astros’ biggest offseason addition a year ago before struggling in his Major League debut, has chosen to not opt out of his deal with club and will return next year at a salary of $18 million.
The move comes as no surprise considering Imai’s value on the open market has taken a hit following his wobbly rookie season.
Imai, who signed a three-year, $54 million deal in January, which included opt-outs after 2026 and ’27, pitched in 23 games (15 starts) for the Astros this year and was 6-4 with a 4.93 ERA. He struck out 97 and walked 51 in 76 2/3 innings and pitched out of the bullpen in the final two months, mostly in a mop-up role.
The Astros chose not to pick up the $5 million option of right-hander Ryan Weiss, according to a source. They will instead pay him a $500,000 buyout. Weiss, who pitched the previous two seasons in Korea, had a 7.62 ERA in 26 innings with Houston in 2026 and was designated for assignment in June. He pitched the rest of the season with Triple-A Sugar Land and had a 5.42 ERA in 76 1/3 innings.
The club has not confirmed this decision.
The Astros have until Monday to decide on the 2027 option for third baseman Isaac Paredes, who will make $13.35 million next year if Houston picks it up. The option will become a mutual option, though, if Paredes finishes in the top 10 in American League Most Valuable Player voting. He hit .262 with 25 homers, 94 RBIs and an .807 OPS in 155 games last season and led MLB in two-out RBIs (46).
Imai should enter next season in position for a rebound, considering the Astros’ lack of rotation depth and his 28.7% strikeout rate this past season. He’ll have to drastically reduce his walk rate (15.1%) to be a viable option in the future.
The former Japanese star landed on the IL after only three starts last season because of arm fatigue. Throughout the year, he cited the condition of some pitching mounds, the different size baseballs used in the Major Leagues and even meal times as reasons for his struggles.
The Astros have Hunter Brown, Peter Lambert and Hayden Wesneski at the top of their rotation and will be on the hunt to add more pitching depth for the second winter in a row. That will be the task of a new general manager, which is a decision the club could make in the coming days.
In addition to Imai, Brown, Lambert and Wesneski, other rotation options for 2027 include Cristian Javier, Ronel Blanco and Mike Burrows, along with prospects Bryce Mayer (No. 8) and Ethan Pecko (No. 9). Pecko posted a 3.93 ERA in 34 1/3 innings last season in his Major League debut; Mayer was named the team’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year for 2026.