LAS VEGAS — Tatsuya Imai, the standout Japanese pitcher, is set to enter the Major League Baseball (MLB) posting process starting November 19, as announced by his agent, Scott Boras, on Wednesday. This initiates a 45-day window for Imai to secure a contract with an MLB team. Boras, a prominent figure in baseball negotiations, drew comparisons between Imai and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the recent World Series MVP who played a pivotal role in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ victory over Toronto. Boras emphasized Imai’s durability and competitive spirit, stating, ‘He’s done everything Yamamoto’s done.’ Imai, a 27-year-old right-hander, boasts an impressive 10-5 record with a 1.92 ERA this season for the Seibu Lions in Japan’s Pacific League. He struck out 178 batters in 163.2 innings, showcasing his dominance on the mound. Over his eight-year career with Seibu, Imai has accumulated a 58-45 record, a 3.15 ERA, and 907 strikeouts in 963.2 innings. His accolades include three All-Star selections and notable achievements such as pitching eight innings in a combined no-hitter and setting a team record with 17 strikeouts in a single game. Boras highlighted Imai’s preference for big markets and his desire to compete at the highest level, stating, ‘He loves big markets and wants to be on a winning team.’ Under MLB’s posting agreement with Nippon Professional Baseball, the posting fee structure includes a 20% fee on the first $25 million of a contract, decreasing to 17.5% for the next $25 million and 15% for amounts exceeding $50 million. Additional fees apply for bonuses and options. Imai’s move to MLB is highly anticipated, with teams expected to vie for his talent.