Following Ohtani, Yamamoto: Is Tatsuya Imai the next Japanese pitcher to join MLB?

MLB free agency is in full swing as teams evaluate potential signings to strengthen their rosters for the upcoming season and keep pace in an increasingly competitive league.

After seeing the impact of Japanese stars with the Los Angeles Dodgers, several teams are looking to Japan more closely than ever, hoping to find the next breakout player.

One of Japan’s top pitchers, Tatsuya Imai, is now officially available to Major League clubs. The Seibu Lions announced that they will post the 27-year-old right-hander, giving him the chance to secure a contract in North America. Imai is expected to be one of the most sought-after starting pitchers on the market.

Tatsuya Imai, a 27-year-old RHP from Nippon Professional Baseball, will be posted this offseason, per the Saitama Seibu Lions.

Imai recorded a 1.92 ERA and struck out 178 batters in 163.2 IP during the 2025 season.

Once Imai’s posting window opens, teams will have 45 days to… pic.twitter.com/SWD1aTBqQc

— MLB (@MLB) November 10, 2025

“We decided that now was the right time and allowed him to take on the challenge of MLB,” the Lions said in a statement. “He has consistently expressed a strong desire to play baseball in America, and as a team, we have respected that desire.”

Imai will have 45 days to reach an agreement with an MLB team. If no deal is made, he’ll return to Seibu for the 2026 season.

A nine-year veteran of Nippon Professional Baseball, Imai posted elite numbers last year with a 1.92 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 178 strikeouts over 163 2/3 innings. His arsenal includes a blistering fastball, a sharp slider, and a deceptive splitter, weapons that helped him throw a no-hitter during the season.

If he lands in MLB, Imai could be the next in a growing line of Japanese pitchers making a major impact on American baseball.

Following Ohtani, Yamamoto: Is Tatsuya Imai the next Japanese pitcher to join MLB?

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