The Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday shuffled their rotation to start Kenta Maeda against the San Diego Padres in lieu of Jose De Leon. What’s more, Maeda is also slated to take the mound in Sunday’s regular-season finale against the San Francisco Giants.
Coming out of their weekend series, the Dodgers intended to start Maeda on Wednesday. That would have prevented the right-hander from taking the mound again during the regular season. Maeda is scheduled to start Game 3 of the National League Division Series, which will be played Oct. 10.
“In talking to him over the weekend, we were trying to figure out the best way to get him prepped for the postseason,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained Tuesday.
“He wanted to make two starts in the regular season. We initially thought a start Wednesday, then a simulated game the following week. To allow him to start [Tuesday] and on Sunday, I think is best for him to keep sharp.”
On top of avoiding an 11-day layoff to the postseason by starting Sunday, Maeda is in line to earn a $1.5 million bonus with what will be his 32nd start of the season. In addition, should Maeda throw seven innings, it will give him 180 on the season, and an additional $250,000.
“Obviously with what Kenta has done for us, and I don’t all the specifics of his contract, but I do know if he performs and posts, he’s going to be compensated,” Roberts said.
“I applaud our organization for acknowledging that and putting Kenta in a position to be compensated. He deserves it.” Maeda only threw 60 pitches over four innings against the Padres, because the Dodgers had a pitch count in place.
That won’t be the case on Sunday, Roberts said. While there’s financial incentive for Maeda to make another start, he pointed to the on-field benefit as reason.
“I felt that it was better for me to face live hitters in a regular game situation rather than pitching in a simulated game after the season ended,” Maeda said from the visitors’ clubhouse at Petco Park.
