Former Dodgers pitcher Kenta Maeda is officially leaving the MLB and returning to NPB

Former Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Kenta Maeda announced his retirement from the MLB in November and has officially joined NPB’s Rakuten Eagles on a two-year contract.

Maeda began his MLB career as a Dodger and had a nine-season career in the MLB from 2016-2025, after missing the 2022 season due to injury.

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Maeda signed with the Dodgers as an international free agent prior to the 2016 season and immediately made an impact on the big league roster. He finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting that season, posting a 3.48 ERA in 32 appearances with 179 strikeouts.

He played three more seasons with the Dodgers and maintained an ERA below 4.00 during his 137 appearances in Dodger Blue. Maeda threw 589 innings for LA, striking out 641 batters.

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The Dodgers traded the right-hander to the Minnesota Twins before the 2020 season, and he had arguably the best season of his career during the shortened season. Maeda finished second in the AL Cy Young voting, making 11 starts for the Twins and posting a 2.70 ERA. He struck out 80 batters in 66.2 innings and had the lowest WHIP in the MLB (0.75).

He would remain with the Twins until 2023, ultimately making 53 appearances, before the Tigers signed him in free agency. Maeda struggled during his time in Detroit, posting a -2.0 bWAR during his 36 appearances. He made just seven appearances in 2025 and had a 7.88 ERA through eight innings.

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Over his MLB career, Maeda has a 4.20 ERA and has struck out 1,055 batters in 986.2 innings.

“I especially want to demonstrate good pitching and become the kind of pitcher that people want to come to the stadium to see,” Maeda said this during a press conference after his signing.

“…I’m really looking forward to playing in Japan again after such a long time. That feeling of excitement is number one for me right now.”

Photo credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

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