In a surprising development, the Detroit Tigers' right-handed pitcher Kenta Maeda will be transitioning to the bullpen "for the foreseeable future," according to manager A.J. Hinch. The decision comes as Maeda has been struggling in the first season of his two-year, $24 million contract.

Maeda, 36, had shown promise in the previous season with the Minnesota Twins, where he had a strong performance after recovering from a triceps injury. During that time, he boasted a 3.36 ERA with an impressive 29% strikeout rate over 16 starts. However, 2024 has been a different story for Maeda, as he has struggled with a disappointing 7.26 earned run average in 16 starts spanning only 65 2/3 innings.

While Maeda's command has remained solid with a 7.9% walk rate, his strikeout rate has plummeted to just 17.1%, and he has seen a decrease in fastball velocity, averaging only 90.3 mph this season. Notably, Maeda has already given up 15 home runs in this season, nearing his total from the previous year.

On a more positive note, the Tigers' other offseason rotation addition, right-hander Jack Flaherty, has been enjoying a successful rebound campaign. Flaherty, along with Tarik Skubal, who is considered a candidate for the Cy Young Award, has formed a formidable duo at the top of the Detroit starting staff. Additionally, sophomore right-hander Reese Olson has also emerged as a reliable option, with all three pitchers boasting an ERA of 3.30 or less.

Former No. 1 pick and promising prospect Casey Mize has returned from Tommy John surgery and back surgery to post a solid 4.23 ERA in his 16 starts. These pitchers provide the Tigers with a strong set of options in the top four spots of their rotation. Furthermore, right-hander Keider Montero has recently impressed with consecutive quality starts, making him a potential candidate to fill the fifth spot.

Looking ahead, the Tigers may consider calling up former first-round pick Matt Manning to join the rotation if needed. Manning has had mixed results in his 50 big league starts, with a 4.43 ERA. While his Triple-A performance this year has been less impressive with a 5.03 ERA, his encouraging strikeout and walk rates of 24.7% and 8.8%, respectively, offer hope for improvement.

Alternatively, the Tigers could explore external options for their rotation, either through trade acquisitions or potential alternative solutions within their farm system. Currently, the team sits at 44-49, 14 games behind the AL Central leaders and seven games back in the AL Wild Card race.

As for Maeda, the move to the bullpen may provide an opportunity to rediscover his form and regain confidence in his pitching. The Tigers will be hoping that this shift will ultimately pave the way for his return to the starting rotation, bringing optimism for improved performances in the future.

It remains to be seen how the Tigers will navigate their rotation moving forward, but for now, Maeda's move to the bullpen will give the team an opportunity to assess their options and make strategic decisions based on the needs of the team.