According to a report from Major League Baseball Japan, the New York Yankees are adding a veteran pitcher to the organization and agreeing to sign former Los Angeles Dodgers’ outstanding Kenta Maeda to sign a minor league contract.
Maeda, 37, spent the past two seasons with the Detroit Tigers, spending some time in the Major League Baseball (MLB) and minor leagues. In 2025, he made only seven appearances for the Tigers, recording 7.88 ERA with eight strikeouts and six walks in 8.0 innings. He started 17 games last season and has a 6.09 ERA.
At his peak, Maeda was a reliable mid-sized starter. In the best season of 2020, when he was in Minnesota, the Japanese native became runner-up in Young's American League Championship, losing to Shane Bieber. That season, his 60 games were shortened by 60 games due to the 19 season outbreak, with 2.70 ERA, 80 strikeouts, 10 walks, 11 games and 11 games in 66 2/3 innings.
It is unclear whether the Yankees intend to bring Meda to the Bronx, although he believes it will start in the minor league for the time being.