While one veteran pitcher’s career hits a crossroads, a pitching prospect’s career begins. On Thursday, the Tigers designated veteran right-hander Kenta Maeda for assignment, potentially ending the 37-year-old’s Major League career after nine seasons across three teams.

Explore the ups and downs of the Tigers' experiment with Kenta Maeda and the implications of his departure from the team.

Assuming he doesn’t unexpectedly wear a Tigers uniform again, Maeda finishes his Detroit tenure with a 6.21 ERA and -2.0 bWAR across 36 games and 17 starts. That’s not exactly what the Tigers signed up for when they inked Maeda to a two-year, $24 million deal following the 2023 season.