Tigers' Kenta Maeda: Working way back into rotation

Maeda covered 3.2 innings out of the bullpen in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Royals in 11 innings. He gave up three earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out four.

Maeda has now made each of his last four appearances out of the bullpen, submitting a 4.40 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 14:1 K:BB in 14.1 innings during that stretch. The Tigers shifted the veteran right-hander to a relief role after he struggled to a 7.26 ERA through 15 starts, but manager A.J. Hinch suggested Friday that Maeda will eventually rejoin the rotation, per Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. Maeda is essentially stretched out for a starter's workload at this point; he tossed 69 pitches behind opening pitcher Tyler Holton in Saturday's contest.