When Tatsuya Imai and other Houston Astros regulars are scheduled to play in Grapefruit League

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Houston Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai (45) delivers during Spring Training at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle)


PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Right-hander Tatsuya Imai will make his Grapefruit League debut in the Houston Astros' split-squad home game Thursday against the Mets at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, manager Joe Espada said.

Imai faced Houston hitters in a live batting practice last Friday, putting him on five days' rest for his first game outing. That's likely to remain his schedule when the Astros open the season in a six-man starting rotation.

The timing also slots Imai initially behind Hunter Brown, the Astros' opening day starter, who will make his first Grapefruit League outing on Wednesday.

Other Astros lineup regulars will make spring debuts in the coming days. Carlos Correa and Christian Walker are scheduled to play in Thursday's home split-squad, Espada said. Jose Altuve is slated to play Friday. Yainer Diaz is scheduled to DH on Wednesday and catch Friday. César Salazar will be behind the plate for Imai's outing, Espada said.

Yordan Alvarez will be "a little bit later" than the above players due to normal buildup, per Espada, who said that Alvarez is "doing everything on the back fields." Isaac Paredes may be on a similar timeline as Alvarez or slightly ahead.

Shortstop Jeremy Peña made his second spring start Tuesday and is set to play in two more games prior to leaving to join Team Dominican Republic for the World Baseball Classic, Espada said.

This article originally published at When Tatsuya Imai and other Houston Astros regulars are scheduled to play in Grapefruit League.

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