Sat May 17 05:20:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article based on the provided text:
**Chicago Cubs Take a Chance on Veteran Pitcher Kenta Maeda with Minor League Deal**
**CHICAGO, IL** – The Chicago Cubs are offering a lifeline to veteran right-hander Kenta Maeda, signing him to a Minor League contract in an effort to revitalize his career. Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed the impending move Friday, stating that the 37-year-old Maeda is expected to join Triple-A Iowa once the agreement is finalized.
“He has had success. He’s struggled,” Counsell said. “He’s on a Minor League contract. I think it’s a player that we’ve got to have constant conversations with and see where we can maybe make some adjustments and see where he’s at.”
Maeda was recently designated for assignment by the Detroit Tigers after struggling in his two seasons with the team. Detroit remains responsible for the remainder of his $10 million salary for 2025, part of a two-year, $24 million contract signed in November 2023.
This season, Maeda struggled mightily, posting a 7.88 ERA in seven relief appearances. In 2024, he was moved to the bullpen after recording a 7.26 ERA in his first 16 starts. Across his tenure with the Tigers, he had a 6.21 ERA over 36 games (17 starts).
Throughout his nine-year MLB career with the Dodgers, Twins, and Tigers, Maeda has a career 4.20 ERA, relying on a splitter, fastball, and sweeper/slider mix. The Cubs hope that a change of scenery and focused adjustments can help the veteran recapture some of his previous form. The team will closely monitor Maeda’s progress in Iowa as they assess his potential contribution to the major league roster.
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