Dodgers News: Kenta Maeda Arrives to Camp Having Gained 10 Pounds
The Dodgers wanted Kenta Maeda to build his stamina this offseason. Maeda said his goal is to throw 200 innings.
To accommodate both sides’ intentions, Maeda added 10 pounds, per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.
Dave Roberts said Kenta Maeda gained 10 pounds in offseason at club's suggestion to build endurance.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) February 16, 2017
Maeda pitched 175.2 innings a season ago. But he wilted down the stretch, punctuated by his 6.75 ERA performance across three playoff starts.
For every 10 innings pitched past 90, Maeda gains a $250,000 bonus. He received $750,000 for reaching 200 innings. Understandably, his agent would join the Dodgers and Maeda in celebrating such a campaign.
L.A. needed pitching help in the postseason. Eating 200 innings would be a feat, but the key to Maeda’s potentially increased endurance will be his playoff performance. The Dodgers can’t go into October with Clayton Kershaw as their only reliable starter again.
Cody Bellinger and Willie Calhoun are among the position players to arrive early