This will pretty much officially close the book on Maeda’s career in the major leagues. He pitched in nine MLB seasons and posted a 4.20 earned run average while accumulating just under 1,000 innings pitched. Maeda spent the first four seasons of his career with the Dodgers after signing an eight-year deal to join Los Angeles during the 2015-16 offseason. His rookie year was his best in Dodger Blue, as he won 16 games and posted a 3.48 ERA over a career-high 175 2/3 frames. Maeda struggled in the postseason that year, but rebounded in October 2017 with 10 2/3 innings of one-run ball to help the Dodgers win a pennant.
LA shipped Maeda to Minnesota Brusdar Graterol And Lucas Raley during the 2019-2020 low season. Maeda’s first season in Minnesota was shortened by the truncated schedule, but perhaps the best of his career. He posted a 2.70 ERA while averaging more than six innings per appearance over eleven starts, ranking second behind Shane Bieber in AL Cy Young voting. Maeda remained in the Twin Cities for three more seasons, although he missed the 2022 campaign rehabbing Tommy John surgery.
The Tigers signed him to a two-year, $24 million free agent deal beginning in 2024. While it was a wise bet on Maeda’s strong strikeout and walk profile, his declining performance led to significant home run problems. Maeda was hit hard with a 6.09 ERA in 2024. He didn’t find better results early in the ’25 campaign while pitching out of the bullpen, leading the Tigers to release him in early May. That marked the end of his MLB career. Maeda pitched in Triple-A with the Cubs and Yankees, posting a 5.40 ERA in 20 starts through the end of the year.
Maeda returns to Japan, where he played eight seasons for the Hiroshima Carp before moving to the MLB. He owns a 2.39 ERA in just over 1,500 career NPB innings. He will be teammates with former big leaguers Lucas Voit And Roansy Contreraseach of whom has already signed with the Eagles for the 2026 season.
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