Here are three things for MLBTR readers to keep an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day:
1. Imai to make stateside debut:
New Astros right-hander Tatsuya Imai has pitched his entire career in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, but he’ll make his first career MLB Spring Training appearance later today. Imai is the scheduled start for the Astros’ split squad game against the Mets, which is set to begin at 1:05pm ET in the team’s West Palm Beach facility. The righty has a career 3.15 ERA in 159 starts for the Seibu Lions and in 2025 posted a dominant 1.92 ERA with a 27.8% strikeout rate and 7% walk rate. The 27-year-old flamethrower will get his first opportunity to show what he can do against big league players later today.
2. Kolek dealing with back issue:
Royals right-hander Stephen Kolek was scheduled to make his first appearance of Spring Training for the Royals yesterday, but Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports that he was scratched from his scheduled outing after experiencing tightness in the left side of his back while warming up. He’s getting his back checked out, and more information about the right-hander’s status could be available as soon as today. Kolek posted a 3.51 ERA in 19 starts between the Padres and Royals, who acquired him (and Ryan Bergert) in a deadline trade sending catcher Freddy Fermin to San Diego. That may not be enough to crack a deep Royals rotation without an injury creating room in the starting five, but Kolek should be able to compete for a job in the bullpen or head to Triple-A Omaha as the organization’s top depth arm, as long as he’s not dealing with a notable back injury.
3. Scherzer signing in Toronto:
Another notable free agent came off the board last night when future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer returned to the Blue Jays on a one-year, $3MM deal featuring incentives that can push the deal up to $13MM. Scherzer will hope for better health than in 2025, when he was limited to just 17 starts with a lackluster 5.19 ERA. The Blue Jays certainly seem to think he’s still capable of more even headed into his age-41 campaign, and they’re committed enough to the idea of Scherzer contributing this year that they’re willing to dedicate a 40-man roster spot to the veteran. That means a corresponding move will be necessary once the deal becomes official, though moving Anthony Santander (who is expected to miss most of the 2026 campaign) to the 60-day injured list would make that little more than a formality.
Wow.
Imai the first one here?
Nope. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.
I got the impression you were an Award Winner though…
They need Max to ramp up ASAP. Luckily they are only 2.5 back of the grapefruit league title, but a .375 PCT shows that they didn’t do enough. The Dodgers on the other hand, still haven’t lost a game so any hopes of dethroning them should just stop now
Ah yes, the coveted grapefruit league championship. That’s why you sign experienced guys like Max who won’t get rattled in the Florida sun.
The question is, will only $3M make him Mad Max?
Was just on Brandon Nimmo’s Baseball Reference page. Who has ever nicknamed this guy “Tater”? Also the following:
Claude Willoughby – Flunky…?
Nolan Arenado – Sandblaster
Justin Bour – Bortabello Crushroom…???
Charlie Hickman – Piano Legs
Harold Skunk – Stinky
I think a lot of the nicknames now come from the Players’ Weekend stuff where they let them pick their own nicknames for merch. Something feels a bit off about being able to give yourself a nickname though.
I have heard Imai’s splitter is nasty. It will be interesting to see how that fares against real major league (sort of) competition.
Max in the 8th or the 9th could be lethal.
Really excited to see Imai pitch.
Scherzer signed for 3 million guaranteed. Shows how little Littell and Giolito will get. They continue to over value themselves. They should fire their agents.
LG is full of himself. He thinks b/c Boston paid him nearly 40mil last couple years for being hurt that he’s above a prove it deal.
If Imai was any good, he’d be on Japan’s WBC roster
Japan would have been glad to have him, Imai was the one that didn’t want to pitch in the WBC. And he’s on Japan reserves btw
“It’s my first season in the Major League, so I’m going to be very busy. Above all, it is also important to protect the safety of my family and create an environment where I can adapt,”
Aka, I don’t want to embarrass myself on the world stage
Welcome back Max.
3mil for Max… just his presence is worth 3 million 70-90 solid innings in season would be big time bargain
The Opener’s name is 3 pitchers
I can’t wait for Imai to destroy the Dodgers. Probably throws a few complete game, no hitters with 26Ks and only one weak ball to 2nd base.
I can’t wait for that either.