Another Japanese star is making his way to the Major Leagues.

The Saitama Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball announced Monday that they will allow right-handed starter Tatsuya Imai to be posted this offseason for MLB teams. Once Imai’s posting window opens, teams will have 45 days to work out a contract with the 28-year-old.

Imai, who is Mark Feinsand’s No. 11 free agent this year, recorded a 1.92 ERA over 163 2/3 innings this season for the Lions. He struck out 178 batters, walked 45 and allowed only six home runs. Some of his 2025 highlights include throwing the first eight innings of a combined no-hitter and striking out 17 batters in a two-hit, complete-game shutout

Imai has pitched eight seasons for Seibu, and over the past three years and 470 innings, his ERA is a scant

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