Pitcher finds his footing in the big leagues

A Japanese pitcher signed for millions is struggling with more than just baseball in the U. S. Tatsuya Imai made just three starts before landing on the injured list due to arm fatigue after a rough outing in Seattle. His fastball lost steam early, and he couldn’t find the strike zone. Team doctors cleared his arm, so now the focus shifts to rebuilding his strength gradually. So what’s really behind the fatigue? Imai points to daily life outside the game. Stadiums in Japan often have heated domes or retractable roofs, shielding players from cold weather. Many U. S. ballparks don’t offer that luxury, and Imai isn’t used to pitching on harder surfaces in chillier conditions. Even meal times have thrown him off—Japanese teams typically eat dinner after games back at the hotel, while MLB clubs often eat at the stadium.

The language barrier and cultural differences don’t help. Imai has to rely on interpreters to explain his challenges, adding another layer of adjustment. He’s also adapting to a slightly bigger baseball, a detail he mentioned before the season started. Between travel schedules, food timing, and on-field surprises, the transition isn’t just about throwing strikes—it’s about fitting into a whole new rhythm.

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