Dodgers: Kenta Maeda Becoming a Stalwart in the Rotation

The Dodgers have a very versatile pitcher in Kenta Maeda.  He’s someone who has pitched in a starting and relief role with most of his action coming as a starting pitcher.

The Dodgers rotation is holding itself together despite being without the services of Clayton Kershaw, Rich Hill, and Hyun-Jin Ryu.  Despite the injuries, the Dodgers’ rotation has been held steady by the strong performances of Ross Stripling, Walker Buehler, and Kenta Maeda.  There has been plenty of talk about moving Kenta Maeda into the relief role to help out the bullpen, but the way that Maeda has been pitching he is too good to remove from the rotation.

In his last two starts, Kenta has pitched 14 2/3 innings allowing no runs, four hits, and striking out twenty batters.  Along with the twenty strikeouts, Kenta has walked just four batters.  On the season Maeda is now 4-3 with a 3.38 ERA.  While a 3.38 ERA is very solid, Maeda has been even better than that as he has a 2.79 FIP.  This is all despite a pretty high BABIP of .340 which is a number that is sure to decrease.  Maeda has been more aggressive in attacking hitters this season and the result has been a career-high 11 K/9IP.

More from LA Dodgers News

• Kevin Kiermaier being ‘top target’ to replace Cody Bellinger is bad sign for Dodgers
• Giants laughably sign pitcher that Dodgers absolutely own
• Dave Roberts’ quote about Padres in NLDS should motivate Dodgers
• Former Astro seemingly takes uncalled for shot at Cody Bellinger after Cubs deal
• Dodgers’ 2023 lineup without Trea Turner isn’t as impressive as it should be

Due to the fact that Kenta Maeda excelled in a relief role last October, there has been fan talk prior to his last two starts of moving Maeda to the bullpen.  There are a number of reasons why Maeda is not going to be removed from the rotation, even when everyone is back and healthy.  First off, Kenta Maeda makes just over three million guaranteed on his contract and the rest of pay is based on starting pitching incentives.

Kenta did pitch one inning of relief earlier this season against the Giants but that was only because the Dodgers skipped his start once since they had an off day.  There is a chance the Dodgers could move Maeda into relief at times if he appears to be wearing down but as long as Maeda is mowing hitters down as a starting pitcher, that is going to be his role.  The Dodgers brought Kenta over from Japan to be a starting pitcher as his contract reflects, and it would be wrong to move him to the pen to avoid incentives.

Next: Dodgers Quick Hits: Hill Progressing, Chargois down, OKC tearing it up

Maeda makes one million dollars for reaching 15, 20, 25, 30, and 32 starts made in a season.  He also gets $250K for every ten innings he pitches after he reaches 90 innings pitched in a season.  These incentives would make it unfair to move Maeda to the bullpen even if he would provide stability to the pen.  Moving Maeda to the bullpen last October could be a regular playoff procedure but for the regular season, Maeda is a starting pitcher.  In fact, he might be the most reliable starter in the rotation right now.