Just three of the eight balls in play against Maeda were hard hit, but seven wound up as hits anyway, and Maeda didn’t help the cause by walking three batters. Maeda has given up 18 runs in 6 2/3 innings over three appearances for Iowa, and he might be on his way to being released again.

Maeda is expected to build back up as a starter in the minors. He had a 7.88 ERA in eight innings out of the Tigers pen after failing to win a rotation spot this spring.

There’s a possibility a team claims Maeda off release waivers, but they would have to pick up the remaining portion of his $10 million salary for the season. The 37-year-old veteran passed through waivers unclaimed after posting an inflated 7.88 ERA over eight innings (seven appearances) this season out of Detroit’s bullpen. It’s entirely possible this is the end of the road for Maeda at this advanced stage of his career, but there’s probably another team out there willing to bring him for a closer look.

Maeda was abysmal in seven appearances for the Tigers this season, registering a 7.88 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and an 8/6 K/BB ratio over eight innings. He hasn’t thrown any quality innings at the big league level since the 2023 season and with his bloated salary it’s unlikely that any other team will come calling on waivers.