Kenta Maeda Placed On Injured List
Kenta Maeda (forearm) has been placed on the injured list with right forearm tightness. Maeda exited his most recent start against the Yankees on Saturday with the issue, which will result in his second stint on the injured list this season. The veteran right-hander had appeared to turn things around after a strong month of July, though it's been a tough season overall in the follow-up to his strong 2020 campaign. It's unclear how much time Maeda will miss, though he may not be able to provide fantasy managers with much value if he returns late enough in the season. Miguel Sano will return from the paternity list to take Maeda's spot on the roster.
Source: Dan Hayes
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Source: Dan Hayes
Kenta Maeda To Start Grapefruit League Opener On Saturday
Kenta Maeda will start the team's Grapefruit League opener on Saturday versus the Philadelphia Phillies. Maeda hit 92 mph during his live batting practice session on Tuesday in camp, which is significantly higher than where he was at a year ago. The Tigers would likely to get as many looks at the 36-year-old veteran in spring training before deciding what his role will be to start the 2025 season. It's unclear if he'll be a starter or reliever on Opening Day, but the injury to Alex Cobb (hip) certainly increases Maeda's chances of sticking in a starting role, at least early on. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues will be avoiding the Japanese hurler, even if he wins a rotation spot, after an ugly 6.09 ERA and 1.38 WHIP with only 96 K's in 112 1/3 innings in 2024. His 7.69 K/9 mark was the worst of his career.
Source: Detroit Free Press - Evan Petzold
The Detroit Free Press' Evan Petzold reports that Detroit Tigers right-hander Source: Detroit Free Press - Evan Petzold
Kenta Maeda Could Earn Starting Role
Kenta Maeda could have a path to opening the season in the starting rotation with Alex Cobb (hip) set to miss a month of action. Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic noted that the team could give the veteran right-hander a look in spring training with the open spot in the rotation. Last season, Maeda appeared in 29 games but only started 17 of them. Across 112 1/3 total frames, the 36-year-old posted a disappointing 6.09 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. However, the right-hander worked on his mechanics during the offseason in hopes of returning to form. During the 2023 campaign, Maeda held a 4.23 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP across a similar 104 1/3 innings of work. Fantasy managers should monitor his progress during spring training as he will likely compete alongside Casey Mize and top prospect Jackson Jobe for a starting role. If he does earn the job, he could be worth a look in deeper AL-only formats.
Source: Cody Stavenhagen
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Source: Cody Stavenhagen
Tigers Might Be Flexible With Kenta Maeda's Role
Casey Mize, Keider Montero and Brant Hurter each having cases to begin the year in the starting rotation in 2025, it has made veteran right-hander Kenta Maeda's role less clear. The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen writes that the Tigers have talked about revamping Maeda's offseason plan to help him recapture what has made him successful after he had an ugly 6.09 ERA in 2024. Despite the fact that Maeda was better as a reliever (4.44 ERA) in 2024, the Tigers could take one more shot with him as a starter since they will be paying him $10 million. Another option for Detroit would be using the 36-year-old Japanese hurler as a swing man. That or Maeda being used strictly out of the bullpen is looking much more likely now after the Tigers reunited with right-hander Jack Flaherty on Sunday. Maeda had a career-worst 7.69 K/9 last year and should be avoided in most fantasy drafts this spring.
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
With Detroit Tigers pitchers Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Kenta Maeda Pitches Well In Bulk Role
Kenta Maeda had one of his best outings of the year on Thursday, going 5 ⅔ innings of shutout ball against the Seattle Mariners. Maeda came in after opener Alex Faedo allowed a run in the first inning, but the veteran shut down the M's into the seventh, keeping his team in the game and eventually giving them a chance to grab a 2-1 win. Maeda looked very sharp in this one, allowing just one hit and one walk while punching out five. Although he's had some decent appearances recently, Maeda is tough to trust on a start-to-start basis because he often has an opener used in front of him and doesn't pitch deep into games. He will have to show more outings like this one to even be streamer-worthy in fantasy.
Source: MLB.com
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Source: MLB.com
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