The biggest adjustment for Japanese pitchers is typically the schedule, as Nippon Professional Baseball starters usually pitch once a week, while MLB arms are asked to go out every five days. The Astros have so far prevented Imai from having to pitch on less than five days’ rest.
That sounds like the meat of it. Maybe he just doesn’t have the stamina to pitch a MLB schedule.
you’d think with a $54 million dollar 3 year contract that the pitching schedule would have come up in conversations
To be fair, a LOT of people are having trouble adjusting to the American lifestyle these days
Houston Astros could be a particularly tough transition. Maybe Seattle Mariners would have been easier for him because there is more Japanese influences there. Or a team with Japanese players already on the roster. Supposedly he said he didn’t want to be on a team with another Japanese player on it.
I, as a Californian, would struggle with adjusting to Houston too.
Imai has had 3 different interpreters since Spring Training, so it could be isolating not being able to communicate or connect with people.
I think more baseball stadiums in Japan are covered, so pitching in rain/mist/breeze may be a struggle.
I know I would struggle in Japan with the different diet, or serving meals slightly different. It’s nice to have familiarity.
I don’t really sympathize for ballplayers making over $15 million a year, but I guess good luck to him and let’s see if he can adapt to the USA.
The Astros are doing better than the SF Giants in the rankings at the moment, and I’m incredibly salty about my loser Giants right now.
