Tigers' RHP Kenta Maeda off IL, to start Friday vs. Blue Jays

Field Level Media|published: Fri 24th May, 16:47 2024

Apr 23, 2024; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Kenta Maeda (18) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Tigers reinstated pitcher Kenta Maeda from the 15-day injured list Friday, optioning fellow right-hander Matt Manning to Triple-A Toledo.

Manning was scheduled to start Friday night against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays, but Maeda will slide into the role. Right-hander Reese Olson will start Saturday afternoon's third game of the four-game series.

The 36-year-old Maeda was put on the IL due to a bug spreading throughout the Tigers' clubhouse.

His most recent start came May 7 at the Cleveland Guardians and ended early after the veteran allowed three walks, five hits and seven runs in only two innings. The Tigers won 11-7.

Maeda (1-1, 6.75 ERA) is in his first season in Detroit after four with the Los Angeles Dodgers and three with the Minnesota Twins. He has a career 66-50 record with a 4.01 ERA.

Manning (0-1, 4.88) is in his fifth season with the Tigers and trying to re-establish himself as a major league starter. He has bounced back and forth between Triple-A Toledo and the Tigers this spring after making 45 major league starts in the past three seasons.

Manning's past two outings have been disappointing -- he allowed three runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings against Miami on May 13, then surrendered four runs and 10 hits in five innings at Arizona on Sunday. The Tigers split the games.

--Field Level Media