Another Japanese star is making his way to the Major Leagues.
Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball announced on Nov. 10 that they will allow right-handed starter Tatsuya Imai to be posted this offseason for MLB teams, and MLB informed teams on Tuesday that the 27-year-old was officially posted, with a negotiating window that begins Wednesday at 8 a.m. ET and ends Jan. 2 at 5 p.m.
"Every season, I have played with the goal of winning the league championship and the Japan Series, and that ambition will not change with a new team," Imai said. "I will continue to compete with a strong desire to win and do my best to contribute to my team’s success."
Imai, who is Mark Feinsand’s No. 11 free agent this year, recorded a 1.92 ERA over 163 2/3 innings this season for the Lions. He struck out 178 batters, walked 45 and allowed only six home runs. Some of his 2025 highlights include throwing the first eight innings of a combined no-hitter and striking out 17 batters in a two-hit, complete-game shutout.
Imai has pitched eight seasons for Seibu, and over the past three years and 470 innings, his ERA is a scant 2.18. He possesses a wide pitch mix, but generally relies on a fastball that can reach 99 mph and his slider. Imai also has a changeup, a splitter and started incorporating a sinker late in the season.
According to MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi, Imai’s profile is similar to or perhaps slightly better than Mets right-hander Kodai Senga. He adds that the Giants are among the possible suitors for Imai, while Feinsand lists the Mets and Red Sox as two other potential fits for the 5-foot-11, 154-pound hurler.
Since he is at least 25 years old and has played a minimum of six seasons in a professional foreign league that is recognized by Major League Baseball, Imai won’t be subject to international bonus pool restrictions.