NY Yankees reportedly bolster pitching staff with veteran signing ahead of upcoming season’s challenges

The New York Yankees are looking to rebound in the latter part of the regular season after enduring a challenging July, coupled with inconsistent performances throughout various stretches. As both players and head coach Aaron Boone align on strategies for improvement, the front office has reportedly made a strategic move to enhance their roster depth.

At the conclusion of July’s MLB trade deadline, the Yankees were active in acquiring key players for the season’s remainder. While not all newcomers have had the desired impact, the organization remains optimistic with the anticipated return of several key injured players.

In a recent development, the Yankees front office reportedly signed veteran pitcher Kenta Maeda to a minor league contract. This acquisition aims to strengthen their pitching staff, providing needed support alongside Carlos Rodon and Max Fried.

“The Yankees have bolstered their pitching depth by signing veteran right-hander Kenta Maeda to a minor-league deal,” MLB Japan announced on their X account, highlighting Maeda’s addition to the Yankees’ roster.

Kenta Maeda pitcher of the Minnesota Twins.

Maeda’s season performance

As Maeda reportedly prepares to join the Yankees, it’s worth noting his recent stints with other franchises in 2025. He initially played for the Detroit Tigers, making seven relief appearances and recording a 7.88 ERA before his release in May.

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Subsequently, Maeda joined the Chicago Cubs on a minor league contract, where he posted a 5.97 ERA over 57.1 innings with their Triple-A affiliate. He exercised his opt-out clause over the weekend before securing a spot with the Yankees.

Career stats and contributions

Over his 11-year career, Maeda has made impactful contributions across several teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers (4 years), Minnesota Twins (3 years), and Detroit Tigers (2 years).

To date, he has appeared in 226 regular-season games, yielding 873 hits, 486 runs, and giving up 142 home runs while issuing 285 walks. Maeda has tallied 1,055 strikeouts and maintains a 4.20 ERA across nearly 1,000 innings pitched.