Kenta Maeda, who was expected to strengthen the Detroit Tigers’ starting rotation after being signed in 2023, finds himself beginning this season in the bullpen rather than as a starter. The 37-year-old veteran, who is scheduled to turn 37 on April 11, failed to make the Tigers’ rotation following a difficult spring training.
Despite his past successes, including being a finalist for NL Rookie of the Year, Maeda struggled in the preseason, allowing eight runs over 12.2 innings. However, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch offered some praise for Maeda’s effort during the spring, citing his improved velocity and 19 strikeouts in those 12.2 innings.
Hinch emphasized that Maeda’s transition to the bullpen is just an early season move and that it is possible he could return to a starting role later in the season. “Obviously, moving him to the ‘pen to start the season is one thing, and who knows if there’s a chance for him to start some games for us,” Hinch commented.
While Maeda may not have had the spring he hoped for, the Tigers’ manager remains optimistic about his progress and highlighted that the work Maeda put in over the offseason should not be overshadowed by this role change.
In a more positive development for the Tigers’ pitching staff, top prospect Jackson Jobe and 2018 No. 1 overall pick Casey Mize were confirmed to have earned roster spots, signaling some hope for the future of the rotation. Maeda’s disappointing start to the season, coupled with the confirmed presence of younger talents, marks a tough break for the veteran, especially given his sizable contract.
Maeda signed a two-year, $24 million deal with the Tigers in 2023, but his first season in Detroit was a rough one. He posted a 3-7 record with a 6.09 ERA and a negative -1.8 bWAR in 29 games, including 17 starts. Over the course of his career, Maeda has logged a 68-56 record and a 4.17 ERA across eight seasons with the Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Minnesota Twins. While Maeda has certainly shown flashes of brilliance in his career, his recent struggles make this bullpen assignment a bittersweet development for both the player and the team.
The Tigers’ decision to move Maeda to the bullpen reflects both his performance during spring training and their efforts to solidify their pitching depth for the season ahead. Although it’s a disappointment for Maeda, who was brought in to provide veteran leadership and experience to the rotation, the Tigers remain hopeful that he can contribute in relief and possibly return to a starting role later in the year.
The coming season will certainly be a pivotal one for Maeda as he navigates this unexpected role change, and the Tigers will be closely watching how he adjusts to his new assignment while continuing to monitor their other pitchers’ performances, especially the promising young arms like Jobe and Mize.
