Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Kenta Maeda reacts after deflecting a line-drive single hit by Taylor Ward of the Los Angeles Angels during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Friday, June 28, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif.
14:22 JST, June 29, 2024
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Detroit Tigers pitcher Kenta Maeda should be on track to make his next start despite being hit by a liner in the sixth inning of Friday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels.
Taylor Ward’s liner up the middle appeared to hit Maeda on his right hip, but the ball went off his glove and then his stomach as it curved toward first base. Maeda tried to run to the bag as Mark Canha fielded the ball, but he grimaced and fell to his knee in pain before reaching first base.
The 36-year-old Japanese right-handed pitcher, who started with a 2-4 record, walked independently back to the mound and then to the dugout after consulting with manager AJ Hinch and trainers.
Hinch said he retired Maeda because he was on 87 pitches and Kevin Pillar was the next batter.
“I was surprised,” Maeda said through an interpreter about the comebacker. “It would have been nice if I could have made the play.”
Maeda allowed two runs and six hits and struck out four in 5 1/3 innings, leaving with the score tied at 2-2.
