Cubs Land Former Cy Young Runner-Up Who Could Provide Rotation Relief

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Iowa Cubs pitcher Kenta Maeda

The Chicago Cubs rotation has been a carousel of inconsistency in 2025.

Injuries, underperformance, and innings limits on young arms have created a pile of concern and frustration. And while fans have been clamoring for a splashy trade, the next answer might already be tucked away in Iowa: veteran right-hander Kenta Maeda .

Yes, that Kenta Maeda — the former Dodgers standout, Cy Young runner-up in 2020 , and most recently, castoff from the Detroit Tigers.

After a rocky start to the season and a release that seemed to spell the end of his big-league days, Maeda has quietly rebuilt his confidence in Triple-A. Now, after a handful of interesting outings for the Iowa Cubs, he’s forcing his way back into the conversation — and possibly back into a Major League rotation that badly needs him.

Kenta Maeda Signed Minor League Deal with Cubs After Release by Detroit

Maeda’s 2025 for Detroit started off ugly, and it was the continuation of an unfortunate 2024. He allowed eight runs, seven of them earned, on nine hits and six walks in eight innings out of the bullpen this season, after last year going 3-7 with a 6.09 ERA over 29 appearances, including 17 starts.

The Tigers, who had signed Maeda to a two-year, $24 million deal, cut ties in early May, opting to give young prospect Tyler Owens a shot instead. It was a quiet, undignified exit for a once-dominant arm.

But the Cubs saw an opportunity. Maeda signed a minor-league deal with Chicago shortly after, a low-risk move that barely registered in the headlines.

“I think it shows that the Cubs have belief in me to get myself back on track and that goes with coaching and just looking over analysis and all of that,” Maeda said after the signing . “So, I’ll do my best on my part to respond to their expectations.”

Maeda’s first three starts with Iowa didn’t look promising. In 6.2 innings, the 37-year-old gave up 18 runs on 18 hits and seven walks, with just four strikeouts.

But since flipping the calendar to June, Maeda has flipped the script. In 22.1 innings, Maeda has given up seven runs on 12 hits, and while the 11 walks are concerned, he has struck out 12.

In his most recent outing at Nashville on Sunday, Maeda went 7.0 scoreless innings, giving up just one hit and three walks with three strikeouts. It was his second shutout outing of the month.

Kenta Maeda Has Hurtled Two Scoreless Outings in June for Iowa

The Cubs could use that type of pitching effort. Although to be honest, the Cubs, who have been riding a rotation of misfits for much of 2025, could use solid starts in general.

Justin Steele was lost for the season after Tommy John surgery. Shota Imanaga is expected to return this week after missing significant time with a hamstring problem. Javier Assad suffered a late April setback in his recovery from the oblique injury that has kept him out since spring training, and the team has offered no recent update on his rehab.

As for the pitchers who have been making starts, Jameson Taillon is the only one that has consistently pitched to expectations, but he is at best a No. 3 starter, and more likely No. 4, on a team with October plans.

Matthew Boyd appears to have avoided anything major with the shoulder concern that halted his previous start. However, with a 2.84 ERA through 15 starts that is nearly two runs better than his career average, can the Cubs realistically rely on more of the same from the 34-year-old left-hander?

Colin Rea was an early season surprise out of the bullpen, boasting a sub-3.00 ERA after his first seven starts, but he has given up four earned runs or more in four of his last six outings, suggesting the magic may have worn off. Top prospect Cade Horton has impressed in his MLB debut, but the inevitable growing pains make it difficult to rely him being a leader in the pennant race. Ben Brown has struggled in his first full season as a starter and could soon be removed from the rotation.

This rotation doesn’t need a No. 1 — it needs innings, experience, and someone who won’t panic with runners on. Maeda checks every box.

Dave Benson Dave Benson is a longtime writer with over three decades of experience in a variety of mediums, including 15 years covering high school, collegiate and minor league sports in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Dave is also a licensed English teacher and spent a few years teaching at the middle school level. More about Dave Benson