Former Dodgers Pitcher Kenta Maeda Officially Leaves MLB, Returns to NPB

"Former Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Kenta Maeda announced his retirement from MLB in November, and has officially joined NPB's Rakuten Eagles on a two-year deal. Maeda began his MLB career as a Dodger, and had a nine-season career in MLB from 2016-2025, having missed the 2022 season due to injury."

"Maeda signed with the Dodgers as an international free agent ahead of the 2016 season, and immediately made an impact on the big-league squad. He placed third in Rookie of the Year voting that season, posting a 3.48 ERA through 32 appearances with 179 strikeouts. He played three more seasons with the Dodgers, keeping a sub-4.00 ERA through his 137 appearances in Dodger blue. Maeda pitched 589 innings for LA and struck out 641 batters."

"The Dodgers traded the right-hander to the Minnesota Twins before the 2020 season, and he had perhaps the best season of his career during the shortened season. Maeda finished second in 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 MLB (0.75). He'd remain with the Twins through 2023, ultimately making 53 appearances, before the Tigers signed him in free agency. Maeda struggled during his time in Detroit, and had a -2.0 bWAR through his 36 appearances. He made just seven appearances in 2025, and had a 7.88 ERA through eight innings. Throughout his MLB career, Maeda has a 4.20 ERA and struck out 1,055 batters through 986.2 innings. "Above all, I want to demonstrate good pitching and become the kind of pitcher that people want to come to the stadium to watch," Maeda said during a press conference after his signing."

Kenta Maeda retired from Major League Baseball in November and signed a two-year deal with NPB's Rakuten Eagles. He began his MLB career with the Los Angeles Dodgers and played nine MLB seasons from 2016–2025, missing 2022 due to injury. Maeda signed as an international free agent in 2016, finished third in Rookie of the Year voting with a 3.48 ERA and 179 strikeouts, and totaled 589 innings and 641 strikeouts for Los Angeles. He was traded to the Minnesota Twins before 2020, posted a 2.70 ERA and an MLB-low 0.75 WHIP that shortened season, later joined Detroit and struggled, and finished his MLB career with a 4.20 ERA and 1,055 strikeouts in 986.2 innings. "Above all, I want to demonstrate good pitching and become the kind of pitcher that people want to come to the stadium to watch."

Read at Dodgers Nation