LOS ANGELES – The Dodgers opened their wallet to sign Japanese pitcher Kenta Maeda to an incentive-laden deal that could be worth $106.2 million if he stays healthy, a risk the team was willing to take despite knowing he has had elbow issues.
After the $25 million, eight-year contract was finalized Thursday, Maeda was introduced during a news conference at Dodger Stadium.
Maeda and the Dodgers acknowledged that his physical revealed unspecified “irregularities.” The 27-year-old right-hander said he’s confident he will be able to pitch a full season in the major leagues.
“Despite the fact there were some irregularities found, the Dodgers made a decision to make a long-term commitment to me and that was meaningful to me,” Maeda said through a translator.