Pitcher Tatsuya Imai and Houston Astros agree to $54 million, 3-year contract, source says

Right-hander Tatsuya Imai and the Houston Astros have agreed to a $54 million, three-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday

Right-hander Tatsuya Imai and the Houston Astros have agreed to a $54 million, three-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced.

Imai gets a $2 million signing bonus and salaries of $16 million this year and $18 million in each of the final two seasons.

Based on his 2026 performance, his 2027 salary would escalate by $2 million each for 80, 90 and 100 innings, and his 2028 salary by $1 million for each level.

If he doesn’t pitch 80 innings in 2026 and does in 2027, his 2028 salary would rise by $1 million. If he doesn’t pitch 90 innings in 2026 and does in 2027, his 2028 salary would increase by another $1 million. And if he doesn’t pitch 100 innings in 2026 and does in 2027, his 2028 salary also would increase by another $1 million.