Japanese international star Tatsuya Imai contributes to MLB's first no hitter since 2024
Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai pitched six scoreless innings, contributing to the first Major League Baseball (MLB) no-hitter since September 4, 2024, when the Cubs' Shota Imanaga, Nate Pearson and Porter Hodge kept the Pittsburgh Pirates hitless in a 12-0 win.
On Monday, May 25, 2026, the Houston Astros dominated the Texas Rangers, 9-0, in front of 36,180 fans at Globe Life Field. Imai used 97 pitches and allowed only four walks, while striking out two. Left-hander Steven Okert pitched the seventh, and right-hander Alimber Santa took care of the final six outs.
Imai represented Japan at the 2023 Asian Professional Baseball Championship and also won gold with Japan at the U-18 Asian Baseball Championship in 2016.
He was born in 1998 and has played his entire professional career with the Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He made his debut in 2018 and posted a 3.15 earned run average (ERA) through eight seasons and 159 games. He is a three-time All-Star and has enjoyed his best season in 2025. He posted a 10-5 record over 163.2 innings, with a 2.05 ERA. On April 18, he pitched eight innings of a no-hitter against the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks. Kaima Taira pitched the ninth inning. On June 17, Imai struck out 17 Yokohama DeNA BayStars hitters, surpassing a club record held by two-time World Baseball Classic MVP Daisuke Matsuzaka.
His fastball topped 99 miles-per-hour (or 159.3 kilometres-per-hour). A changeup and a slider complete the right-hander's main pitch arsenal.
In January, Imai signed a three-year contract with the Houston Astros worth up to US$63 million. The deal starts at $18 million per year, with the opportunity to rise to $21 million based on innings pitched.
Imai has started six games so far for the Astros, but has failed to meet expectations. He allowed 16 earned runs on 17 hits, including four home runs, and 18 walks over 23.1 innings. He has a 6.17 ERA and a 2-2 record. The Astros placed him on the injured list with arm fatigue from April 10 to May 12.
"Everywhere I pitch, it's going to be my first time pitching in those stadiums, and I need to figure out how to use the mound in the first inning," Imai told MLB.com.
Before getting into the groove, Imai walked the first two Rangers hitters he faced.
"Moving forward," he said on a final note. "I want to adjust a little bit faster in the first inning and attack the zone."
