KENTA MAEDA NEWS

'We ... expect him to be good': New Tiger Kenta Maeda making a positive early impression LAKELAND, Fla. - Kenta Maeda will be 36 years old on April 11, but watching him interact with his teammates and go through his work on the b...

FEBRUARY 15, 2024 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Despite losing two starters, Twins keep big expectations for rotation Pablo López will be the ace of a rebuilt rotation, but he sees no reason the departures of Sonny Gray and Kenta Maeda should alter the team'...

FEBRUARY 15, 2024 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Ranking the 10 best MLB rookie seasons from Japanese starting pitchers

With Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shōta Imanaga set to debut in the majors, we examine MLB's history with Japanese starting pitchers and rank the...

JANUARY 11, 2024 • FOX SPORTS

Tigers sign Japanese RHP Kenta Maeda to $24M, 2-year contract to win games and mentor young pitchers

Kenta Maeda gave the Detroit Tigers what they were looking for in free agency, a veteran talented enough to bolster the rotation with an approach they want pitchers on model

NOVEMBER 28, 2023 • Associated Press

Tigers sign RHP Kenta Maeda to two-year, $24M contract Sep 19, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kenta Maeda (18) walks off the field at the end of the second inning i...

NOVEMBER 28, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Law: Cardinals, Tigers do well with Sonny Gray, Kenta Maeda adds; Twins have holes to fill The Twins are down two starters from their 2023 rotation and will likely need to go outside the organization to solidify their pitching.

NOVEMBER 28, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Tigers, RHP Kenta Maeda agree to $24M deal Right-handed pitcher Kenta Maeda and the Detroit Tigers agreed to a two-year, $24 million contract in free agency.

NOVEMBER 27, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Reports: Tigers adding free-agent RHP Kenta Maeda to rotation Oct 10, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Kenta Maeda (18) pitches in the sixth inning against the Houston A...

NOVEMBER 27, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Tigers reach two-year deal with starting pitcher Kenta Maeda DETROIT — The Tigers, according to multiple reports and confirmed by The News, have reached an agreement with veteran right-handed pitcher K...

NOVEMBER 27, 2023 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Pitcher Kenta Maeda and Detroit Tigers agree to a $24 million, two-year contract, AP source says

A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press that free agent right-hander Kenta Maeda and the Detroit Tigers have agreed to a $24 million, two-year contract

NOVEMBER 27, 2023 • Associated Press

Tigers, RHP Kenta Maeda agree to 2-year deal Maeda posted a 4.23 ERA through 104 1/3 innings with the Minnesota Twins last season.

NOVEMBER 27, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Tigers adding Maeda on two-year deal (source) Right-hander Kenta Maeda, who spent the last four seasons with the Twins, is set to change sides in the AL Central after agreeing to a two-y...

NOVEMBER 27, 2023 • MLB.COM

Heading to Detroit Maeda agreed to a two-year contract with the Tigers on Sunday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Impact Maeda spent the last three seasons in Minnesota and will remain in the AL Central on a two-year deal with the Tigers. After posting a career-best 2.70 ERA and 0.75 WHIP in 66.2 innings during his first year with the Twins in the COVID-shortened season, the right-hander regressed over the past two years while battling injuries. He recorded a 4.44 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 210.2 innings over the past two seasons and will attempt to turn things around with a change of scenery in his age-36 season.

NOVEMBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will not make another start Maeda is not scheduled for another start this season, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Impact Maeda last pitched on Sept. 19, when he struck out eight over five scoreless innings in Cincinnati. He projects to be used as a reliever in the postseason, and the Twins look to be shifting him to that role now. Maeda figures to see some bullpen work this weekend in Colorado so he doesn't go into the playoffs following such a long layoff. A scheduled bullpen game Saturday would seem to be a prime opportunity.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Twins live it up after clinching AL Central title, with Kenta Maeda leading the way Maeda estimates he's participated in as many as 10 postseason celebrations. "The guy knows how to have fun. I'm all for it."

SEPTEMBER 24, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Shuts down Cincinnati Maeda (6-7) earned the win Tuesday, allowing one hit and one walk over five scoreless innings in a 7-0 win over the Reds. He struck out eight.

Impact Maeda was masterful Tuesday, setting down the first 11 batters in order and finishing with his second consecutive eight-strikeout performance. Despite allowing just two baserunners and throwing only 83 pitches, he was removed after five frames, which isn't all that surprising considering he tossed a season-high 105 pitches in his last outing. The veteran righty has earned a win in three straight starts, posting a 2.08 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 18:3 K:BB across 17.1 innings during that stretch. Maeda currently lines up for a favorable matchup with Oakland, which is tentatively scheduled for early next week at home.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Twins pitcher Kenta Maeda makes case for prominent postseason role Kenta Maeda gave up just one hit and one walk in five shutout innings and struck out eight batters for the second consecutive start Tuesday...

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Kenta Maeda, Twins close in on playoff berth Right-hander Kenta Maeda struck out eight and surrendered just one hit in five innings as the Minnesota Twins blanked the host Cincinnati Re...

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Punches out eight in victory Maeda (5-7) earned the win over the White Sox on Thursday, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out eight batters over seven innings.

Impact Maeda rattled off six scoreless frames before Andrew Vaughn tagged him for a two-run homer in the seventh. The veteran hurler nonetheless finished off that inning and exited with his first quality start since Aug. 10. Maeda was impressive with 14 whiffs and eight strikeouts, with the latter mark tying for his second-highest total of the campaign. Though the right-hander has just five wins over 19 starts on the season, he's now notched consecutive victories for the first time in 2023.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Twins hit 3 homers, get strong start from Maeda in 10-2 win over White Sox

Kyle Farmer hit a two-run homer to cap Minnesota’s four-run seventh inning, Kenta Maeda threw seven strong innings and the Twins routed the Chicago White Sox 10-2

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 • Associated Press

Settles in for fourth win Maeda (4-7) earned the win Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over 5.1 innings against the Mets while striking out two.

Impact Maeda got off to a rough start, surrendering a leadoff home run to Brandon Nimmo in the first at-bat of the game, followed by an RBI single to Daniel Vogelbach four batters later. The veteran right-hander settled in after that, however, allowing just two more singles over the next four frames to earn his fourth win of the season and first since Aug. 5. Maeda had allowed at least three runs in four consecutive starts coming in and he's now given at least one homer in 10 straight outings.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Allows three runs in five innings Maeda did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing three runs on nine hits and two walks over five innings against the Rangers. He struck out three.

Impact Maeda was working around trouble throughout his outing, but a three-run homer in the first by Mitch Garver was the only damage to his final line. Sunday marked the fourth consecutive start by Maeda where he failed to go past five innings and he's allowed 15 runs in 18 innings over that time frame. He'll look to rebound in his next start, likely to take place next weekend at home against the Mets.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tagged with six runs Maeda allowed six runs on seven hits and a walk over four innings in Monday's win against Cleveland. He struck out three and did not factor in the decision.

Impact Most of the damage against Maeda came during Cleveland's four-run second inning but Minnesota's offense prevented him from taking a loss. He had allowed three or fewer runs in 11 straight outings prior to Monday's hiccup. During that stretch, he posted a 2.91 ERA but he now owns a 4.69 ERA on the year. Maeda is currently lined up to start in Texas this weekend.

AUGUST 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Fans six over five frames Maeda did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks over five innings against the Brewers while striking out six.

Impact Maeda struggled out of the gate, allowing two runs on two hits in the first inning while also hitting Mark Canha with a pitch. The right-hander was much more effective over the next four innings, however, allowing only a solo homer to William Contreras in the third before hurling 1-2-3 innings in both the fourth and fifth frames. Maeda has pitched well in August to the tune of a 3.43 ERA and 23:4 K:BB and he's now recorded at least six strikeouts in eight of his last nine starts. He has, however, failed to make it through six innings in each of his last two outings after opening the month with back-to-back quality starts.

AUGUST 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Allows two homers in no-decision Maeda did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk over four innings against the Tigers. He struck out six.

Impact Maeda struck out four batters over the first two innings and appeared to be on track for his third quality start in a row. However, the right-hander ran into trouble in the top of the third after allowing a leadoff single to Akil Baddoo, which would be followed by home runs from Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson in two of the next three at-bats. Maeda had gone at least five innings in each of his previous five starts coming in while the seven hits Wednesday were the most he's allowed since April 26. Despite the poor outing, he still holds a 2.81 ERA to go along with a very healthy 17:2 K:BB through three starts this month.

AUGUST 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE