Month: January 2026

The Houston Astros have reached an agreement with Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai, locking up one of the most sought-after pitchers to come out of Nippon Professional Baseball this offseason.

According to multiple reports on Thursday, the deal was finalized just ahead of the expiration of Imai’s 45-day posting window, which was set to close Friday evening. The contract spans three years and could be worth as much as $63 million, with opt-out clauses after each season. The agreement includes $54 million guaranteed and an average base salary of $18 million per year, plus performance incentives that could push annual earnings to $21 million, according to MLB reporter Jon Heyman.

At that figure, the contract gives Imai one of the highest average annual values ever for a Japanese-born pitcher, trailing only Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Houston will also owe a posting fee to Imai’s longtime club, the Seibu Lions, calculated based on the final value of the deal. That fee does not count toward Major League Baseball’s competitive balance tax.

Imai, who turns 28 in May, spent his entire professional career with Seibu and emerged as one of NPB’s premier starters over the past several seasons. In 2025, he delivered a dominant campaign, going 10-5 with a 1.92 ERA, 178 strikeouts and 45 walks across 163⅔ innings. He struck out roughly 28% of opposing hitters, far above the league average, while showcasing mid-to-upper-90s velocity and a sharp breaking pitch delivered from a low release point.

Across eight seasons in Japan, Imai compiled a 58-45 record with a 3.15 ERA and 907 strikeouts in just under 964 innings. While command was an early-career issue, his recent improvements convinced teams he could slot quickly into the middle of a major league rotation, with upside beyond that.

Houston reportedly passed on longer offers with lower yearly pay in favor of a shorter contract that gives Imai flexibility while providing the Astros an immediate boost near the top of their rotation. Pending a completed physical and finalized paperwork, the signing positions Imai to make an instant impact in 2026 as Houston reinforces its pitching staff.

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New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave will not suit up for the team’s regular-season finale against the Atlanta Falcons after doctors discovered a blood clot in his lung, bringing an end to his standout season.

The issue was identified early, and Olave is expected to make a full recovery, according to multiple reports. Nick Underhill first reported the diagnosis, writing, “A blood clot was detected in his lung. Got caught early before anything bad could happen and will be fine. But not playing this week.”

Olave, 25, had been listed on the injury report with an illness after missing practice Wednesday. Sources told ESPN that he has no prior history of blood clots and is expected to recover within about a month, allowing him to take part in the Saints’ offseason program beginning in April.

The former first-round pick later shared a photo from the hospital on Instagram, posting: “Thank you God for everything! Right where I need to be, life is full of unexpected twists & turns & I’m grateful to experience it. Chin up, chest out & keep it pushin. I don’t want ya sympathy just talk to God for me. Bounce back otw!”

Olave’s absence is a blow for New Orleans, which has surged late in the season with four straight wins in December after a 2-10 start. He played a central role in that run, recording receiving yardage totals of 85, 148 and 119 in recent games, and thriving alongside rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. Over the past three contests, Olave totaled 352 yards and four touchdowns, with the Saints winning each time.

Despite missing the finale, Olave closes the year with career-best numbers: 100 receptions, 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns, ranking among the league’s top receivers in all three categories. It marked his third 1,000-yard season and capped a strong comeback after an injury-plagued 2024 campaign limited by concussions.

Last week, Olave spoke about his determination to stay on the field all season, saying, “I think it’s going to be my first time in my NFL career playing 17,” and emphasizing how much durability meant to him after past setbacks. He has previously acknowledged how close he came to stepping away from football. Reflecting on last season, Olave said, “It was a tough time last year. I was only 24 years old, contemplating retirement, especially with the head injuries, but I prayed about it. My fam, my close fam was around me. They stuck by my side, and I just gave it another try, another chance. And it’s been a great year.”

New Orleans and Atlanta are both eliminated from playoff contention, though Sunday’s game still carries postseason implications for the division. A Saints win would damage the Falcons’ tiebreaker scenarios and impact the NFC South race involving Tampa Bay and Carolina.

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