Who knows if the Cubs can find the keys to right-hander Kenta Maeda’s personal DeLorean? But they’re taking a crack at a reclamation project.
Manager Craig Counsell confirmed during his pregame media session Friday that the Cubs are adding Maeda, 37, the 2020 American League Cy Young runner-up, on a minor-league deal as the team is faced with a growing need for starting pitching.
The top two arms in the rotation are on the shelf: Justin Steele is out for the season after elbow surgery, and Shota Imanaga is on the injured list with a strained left hamstring.
Steele’s injury cranked up the spotlight on Jed Hoyer and what his front office will do at the trade deadline to replenish the starting staff, a glare that has grown brighter since Imanaga went down. With top-of-the-rotation arms rarely moved at this point in the calendar, Hoyer has emphasized the team’s need to rely on internal solutions.
And turning internally has worked out so far. Colin Rea has been great since making the jump from the bullpen with a 2.90 ERA in six starts. Top prospect Cade Horton got his second win in as many outings while making his first major-league start in the Cubs’ 13-3 victory Friday over the White Sox after a sensational beginning to his season at Triple-A Iowa.
In Maeda, the Cubs are less likely to find a replacement for Steele or Imanaga but someone who, with successful tweaking, could provide some rotation depth.
The Cubs, however, could have a significant task on their hands to get Maeda back to his more successful ways. After that 2020 season as a Twin, things haven’t gone nearly as well.
In the four seasons he has pitched since — Tommy John surgery wiped out his 2022 — Maeda’s ERA is north of 5.00. And in 2024 and 2025 with the Tigers, 19 of his 36 appearances came in relief. He was designated for assignment by the Tigers on May 1. But a minor-league deal is a low-risk move.
“He has had success; he’s struggled,” Counsell said. “It’s a player you’ve got to have constant conversations with and see where we can maybe make some adjustments and see where he’s at.”
Shaw back soon?
The Cubs hope top prospect Matt Shaw can make an eventual return to the majors and reclaim the starting third-base job he won out of spring training before a sour start to the year — a .172 batting average in 18 games — forced a demotion to Triple-A.
Shaw’s numbers with the I-Cubs are certainly much better: a .284/.408/.519 slash line to go with four home runs in 22 games. He hit two of those homers Thursday.
But is a return coming soon?
“He’s working on things, and he’s starting to get some results,” Counsell said. “He’s starting to swing the bat.
“We’re trying to win games, and we’re trying to put the player in a good position to succeed. . . . There’s a time we’re going to, hopefully, be able to say, ‘It’s time to give this a shot again.’
“But . . . he’s going to have a challenge again, and he’s going to be challenged in the big leagues again, like every young player is.”
First knock for Ballesteros
Designated hitter Moises Ballesteros picked up his first career hit, singling home a run in the eighth inning. That came six innings after he picked up his first career RBI.
Ballesteros finished with a single, a walk, two RBI and two runs scored.