Crawfish Boil: Imai’s Struggles, Astros Pitching Woes, Mariners’ Shame, a Cy Young Closer & More

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - APRIL 10: Tatsuya Imai #45 of the Houston Astros reacts after being pulled during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on April 10, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jack Compton/Getty Images) | Getty Images The latest news on the Houston Astros and from around MLB: Tatsuya Imai is having trouble adapting to life in MLB at a time his team really needs him to be the star he’s shown he can be in Japan: Tatsuya Imai said the mound at T-Mobile Park “was really hard” and he had trouble adjusting. The weather he pitched in Friday is “not usual in Japan,” he said, and his mechanics are out of whack when runners reach base – https://t.

co/snNPEUDhij — Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) April 11, 2026 In the meantime, Christian Vazquez will remain Imai’s personal catcher: Joe Espada plans to keep Christian Vázquez paired with Tatsuya Imai for the foreseeable future because "right now, I feel like it's important for the transition of Imai to the major leagues and just to build some stability in our rotation and take us deep into games. " — Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) April 11, 2026 This reminds us all of our favorite Spider-Man GIF of the two Spideys pointing at each other Astros’ Cristian Javier joins Hunter Brown on IL with Grade 2 shoulder strain https://t. co/YzOGsneZ6B — Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) April 10, 2026 Could Cody Bolton be getting tabbed to start Sunday for the Astros?

Cody Bolton is dressed to throw a bullpen session right now at T-Mobile Park. Starters customarily throw a bullpen two days before their start. The Astros are TBA for Sunday.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) April 10, 2026 Whatever the Astros decide to do with who they add to the starting rotation (Arrighetti is a lock, Bolton appears to be getting another turn) can’t really be worse than what they have done so far: Astros pitchers have a 6. 32 ERA Starters: 5. 55 in 60 innings Relievers: 7.