Kenta Maeda - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Former Dodgers Pitcher Kenta Maeda Returning To Japan For 2026 Season Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Kenta Maeda announced that he is returning to Japan for the 2026 season.

NOVEMBER 9 • DODGERBLUE.COM

Returning to Japan Maeda announced Wednesday that he will return to Japan to continue his career.

Impact Maeda allowed seven earned runs over eight innings in the big leagues in 2025 and posted a 5.40 ERA and 1.32 WHIP across 100 frames between the Cubs' and Yankees' Triple-A affiliates. Now, after pitching for the Dodgers, Twins and Tigers during his nine MLB seasons, the 37-year-old will return to his home country, where he is likely to play out the remainder of his professional career.

NOVEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Former Tigers pitcher Kenta Maeda waves white flag on MLB career with latest news Tigers contract bust Kenta Maeda announced his intention to leave MLB after the 2025 season.

SEPTEMBER 4 • MOTORCITYBENGALS.COM

Tigers bust impressed in Yankees debut, but Detroit fans know it's fool's gold Tigers fans know Kenta Maeda's great first impression on the Yankees isn't going to last.

AUGUST 13 • MOTORCITYBENGALS.COM

Yankees' Kenta Maeda just took a huge step toward joining New York's pitching rotation | Sporting News This could be a big development.

AUGUST 10 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Former Dodgers Veteran Pitcher Signs Surprise Deal With Yankees Former Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Kenta Maeda has signed a minor league deal with the New York Yankees, per the team's transactions lo...

AUGUST 5 • SI.COM

Yankees bring in right-hander Kenta Maeda on minor league contract

The New York Yankees have signed right-hander Kenta Maeda to a minor league deal

AUGUST 4 • Associated Press

Yanks sign Maeda to Minors deal, assign him to Triple-A The New York Yankees have signed right-hander Kenta Maeda to a Minor League contract. Maeda, 37, has gone 68-56 with six saves and a 4.20 ER...

AUGUST 4 • MLB.COM

Bronx bound with minor-leage deal The Yankees signed Maeda to a minor-league contract Monday, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

Impact It didn't take long for Maeda to find a new home, signing with the Yankees the same day he was released by the Cubs. Maeda spent his entire Cubs stint in the minors with Triple-A Iowa, and over his last nine starts he posted a 3.55 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 41:18 K:BB across 50.2 innings. The veteran right-hander will report to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, but he could be called up by the Yankees to serve either in the rotation or bullpen as the regular season winds down.

AUGUST 4 • ROTOWIRE

Former Tigers pitcher signs deal with the Yankees | Sporting News Former Detroit Tigers pitcher Kenta Maeda reached an agreement to join the New York Yankees.

AUGUST 4 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Tigers fans laughing at Yankees after all-time disliked pitcher signs with New York Kenta Maeda signed a minor league deal with the Yankees after both the Tigers and Cubs dumped him.

AUGUST 4 • MOTORCITYBENGALS.COM

In search of new home The Cubs released Maeda on Saturday.

Impact After getting cut loose by the Tigers on May 7, Maeda connected with the Cubs on a minor-league deal just under two weeks later. He had been making regular turns out of the rotation for Triple-A Iowa but didn't earn a call-up to Chicago, despite delivering a 3.55 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 50.2 innings dating back to the start of June. Though the Cubs chose to move on from the 37-year-old right-hander, he likely won't have to wait long to find a new home. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Monday that the Yankees are in talks with Maeda on a deal, and other playoff-contending clubs looking to bolster their rotation depth during the stretch run could also express interest.

AUGUST 4 • ROTOWIRE

In search of new home The Cubs released Maeda on Saturday.

AUGUST 4 • ROTOWIRE

Twins claim journeyman catcher off waivers, DFA catcher from Kenta Maeda trade The Twins made a minor change at the catcher position with their latest roster move.

JULY 22 • PUCKETTSPOND.COM

Deadspin | RHP Kenta Maeda signs minor league deal with Cubs Deadspin | RHP Kenta Maeda signs minor league deal with Cubs

MAY 17 • DEADSPIN.COM

Gets minor-league deal from Cubs The Cubs signed Maeda to a minor-league contract Thursday, Yuki Yamada of MLB.com reports.

Impact Maeda was released by the Tigers last week after allowing eight runs (seven earned) with an 8:6 K:BB over eight innings in a low-leverage relief role. The right-hander is expected to join the Triple-A Iowa rotation and make a start Saturday, per Yamada. Maeda will provide the Cubs with some experienced rotation depth.

MAY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Released by Tigers The Tigers released Maeda on Wednesday.

Impact Maeda now heads into free agency, and the Tigers will be responsible for what remains of the $10 million he's owed this season. The 37-year-old right-hander posted a 6.21 ERA over 120.1 innings during his two seasons with Detroit.

MAY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on waivers The Tigers placed Maeda on unconditional release waivers Wednesday.

Impact After being designated for assignment Thursday, the Tigers will now look to remove Maeda from the organization entirely. The 37-year-old has given up seven earned runs in eight innings this season. It's hard to imagine another team is willing to pay what remains of the $10 million he's owed for that kind of production, so he'll most likely clear waivers and enter free agency.

MAY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Kenta Maeda cut by Tigers to clear roster spot for reliever Tyler Owens

Kenta Maeda has been cut by the Detroit Tigers to open a spot in the bullpen for hard-throwing prospect Tyler Owens

MAY 2 • Associated Press

Detroit Tigers designate Kenta Maeda for assignment, bring up Tyler Owens Detroit Tigers designate Kenta Maeda for assignment, call up Tyler Owens.

MAY 2 • FREEP.COM

Maeda designated for assignment by Tigers After struggling throughout his Tigers tenure, right-hander Kenta Maeda was designated for assignment on Thursday. Signed to a two-year, $24...

MAY 1 • MLB.COM

Designated for assignment The Tigers designated Maeda for assignment Thursday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

Impact A move to the bullpen hasn't helped Maeda so far this year, as he's given up seven earned runs in just eight innings. His numbers indicate further regression from the 6.09 ERA and 1.38 WHIP he finished with last season, and his time with the big-league club has officially come to an end. The 37-year-old righty is owed $10 million this in 2025, so he'll almost certainly pass through waivers unclaimed.

MAY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Skubal strikes out 11 in 6 innings as Tigers complete 3-game sweep of Orioles, 7-0

Tarik Skubal struck out a season-high 11 batters in six overpowering innings and the Detroit Tigers finished off a three-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles with a 7-0 victory

APRIL 27 • Associated Press

Lions Fans Joke Ben Johnson Is Better Pitcher Than Tigers Kenta Maeda Detroit Lions fans joke Ben Johnson is better than Detroit Tigers pitcher Kenta Maeda.

APRIL 20 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Ibáñez hits tiebreaking homer to back rookie pitcher Jobe and lead Tigers to a 7-3 win over Royals

Andy Ibáñez hit a tiebreaking home run in the second inning to back rookie Jackson Jobe and lead the Detroit Tigers to a 7-3 victory over Kansas City that extended the Royals’ losi...

APRIL 19 • Associated Press

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Yankees bring in right-hander Kenta Maeda on minor league contract

Kenta Maeda cut by Tigers to clear roster spot for reliever Tyler Owens

Skubal strikes out 11 in 6 innings as Tigers complete 3-game sweep of Orioles, 7-0

Ibáñez hits tiebreaking homer to back rookie pitcher Jobe and lead Tigers to a 7-3 win over Royals