Japanese pitcher Kenta Maeda was designated by the Detroit Tigers

Detroit Tigers' Japanese right-hand pitcher Kenta Maeda was designated by the Tigers today due to his continued sluggish performance.

The 37-year-old veteran pitcher signed a two-year, $24 million contract with the team ahead of the 2024 season, but had a 6.21 ERA during his time with the Tigers. In the middle of the 2024 season, he was relegated to the bullpen due to a starting ERA of 7.26 in 16 games, and the ERA of 7.88 in seven back-up appearances this season.

Maeda started his major league career with the Dodgers in 2016 and spent four years before moving to the Twin Cities in a trade with Brusdar Graterol before the 2020 season, where he set a career-best 2.70 ERA in a season. Tommy John surgery suffered an elbow injury at the end of 2021, missed the whole of 2022, and joined the Tigers as a free agent after starting 20 games in 2023, but never regained his pre-injury level.

In response, the Tigers recalled right-hand rookie Tyler Owens (No. 27 MLB Pipeline rookie) from tripledo Toledo to make his major league debut.