Astros news: Tatsuya Imai's AL Wild Card status after rejuvenation in new role
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The Houston Astros will host the Chicago White Sox in the AL Wild Card series. The Astros slipped into the playoffs on the last day of the regular season, winning the AL West with an 81-81 record.
Now, the Astros are announcing their roster for the AL Wild Card Series, with one surprising name, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.
“Source: RHP Tatsuya Imai will be on the Astros’ roster for the Wild Card Series against the White Sox,” McTaggart posted on X, formerly Twitter.
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Tatsuya Imai has been in a new role for the Astros over the last two months of the season. He moved into a role in the bullpen after struggling as a starter. Imai started 15 games for the Astros this year. He went 6-4 with a 5.83 ERA and a .230 opponent batting average. In the eight games as a reliever, he had a 2.00 ERA and a .129 opponent batting average.
The use of Imai out of the bullpen could happen as early as Game 1 of the series. The Astros and manager Joe Espada have announced a bullpen game for Game 1 against the White Sox. AJ Blubaugh will get the start for the Astros, and he has been able to go three innings earlier this year. He has not finished three innings since the end of May. Meanwhile, Imai has pitched three innings in four of his eight relief appearances this year.
The White Sox are set to visit the Astros at 5 pm ET on Tuesday, with both teams going the bullpen route. Meanwhile, neither team has announced a starter for Game 2.
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