Tatsuya Imai, a Japanese pitcher signed by the Houston Astros in January, made a notable debut during his first live batting practice session at spring training, impressing teammates and officials despite initial nerves. Facing Houston star Jose Altuve, Imai showcased his electric arsenal, including a fastball in the low to mid-90s, a sharp slider with unique movement, and a splitter that left veteran Carlos Correa in awe, stating he had never seen such a pitch before. Altuve praised Imai’s performance, highlighting the effectiveness of his splitter and slider, and predicted he would significantly help the team. Imai admitted to feeling nervous before facing hitters but appeared at ease during the session, which was watched by many in the Astros organization, including GM Dana Brown. Pitching coach Josh Miller noted Imai’s high strike percentage and his natural, confident pitching style. The team plans to further evaluate Imai’s progress with potential additional live sessions and spring games. Meanwhile, in other camp updates, Astros infielder Isaac Paredes celebrated his 27th birthday with a mariachi band, maintaining a calm demeanor amid ongoing trade rumors that keep his future uncertain. The team has also introduced new staff, including head strength and conditioning coach Mike Jasperson, following organizational changes aimed at better managing player health and workload. Overall, Imai’s early performance and reactions suggest he is adapting well to Major League Baseball, with positive impressions from veterans and coaches alike, despite his initial nervousness.