Former Detroit Tigers pitcher Kenta Maeda has found a new home.
Maeda has signed a minor-league deal with the Chicago Cubs, first reported by Japanese outlet Daily Sports and confirmed by Vinne Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times.
The Tigers designated the struggling Maeda for assignment on May 1, essentially cutting the veteran righty from the roster.
Maeda initially joined the Tigers on a two-year, $24 million contract in November 2023, and had an ineffective tenure in a little over a season in Detroit. The veteran, who turned 37 in April, went 3-7 with a 6.09 ERA over 112⅓ innings last season, starting 17 games and appearing in another 12 out of the bullpen.
In spring training this year, Maeda aimed to fill the fifth spot in the Tigers rotation but soon was returned to the bullpen in favor of fellow right-handers Casey Mize and rookie Jackson Jobe. This season, Maeda struggled in low-leverage situations, posting a 7.88 ERA over eight innings pitched, finishing five games mostly in blowout situations.
Because the Cubs signed Maeda to a minor-league deal, the Tigers are still responsible for the remainder of Maeda’s contract this year — about $10 million — while the Cubs will pay him on a new contract.
