Anaheim, Calif. - The Detroit Tigers designated the Kenta Maeda mission Thursday, marking the end of a more than one year of frustration for veteran right-handed.

Maeda, 37, signed a two-year, $24 million contract by the Tigers in November 2023, then signed a 6.21 ERA in 36 games in 36 innings in his two seasons in Detroit. This year, he allowed nine hits and six walks for eight runs (7 gains) in eight innings in the bullpen.

“It’s tough,” Tigers manager AJ Hinch said of the way he broke up with Maeda. "He really helped us when he was good. We didn't really get him back on track when he struggled. So it was the frustrating ending of his time here. We really wanted to create opportunities for young players and young pitchers, and we were really excited."

The Tigers called 24-year-old right-handed rescuer Tyler Owens to bring Maeda's place to the roster.

Maeda came out of Japan in her 20s from Japan and became a weapon with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2016 to 2019 and stood out from the bullpen, making 24 appearances in 24 games in the playoffs in 137 games in the regular season with a record of 3.87 ERA. Maeda then released a 2.70 ERA and finished second in the American League Cy Young awards, while Minnesota twins won Minnesota twins for the 2020 season shortened by Covid-19.

But his ERA reached 4.66 in the 2021 era. He resumed Tommy John's surgery in the 2022 season, earned a 4.23 ERA in 21 games (20 games) in 2023 and had little position to head to Detroit the next season.

Meida's era prompted the transition to a bullpen at 7.26 on July 9, 2024. His stuff played a role, triggering some initial success, but consistency continued to evade him. His expression in spring training this year inspired the Tiger, but his struggles continued once the regular season began.

Hinch and Tigers baseball business president Scott Harris met with Maeda at the team hotel Thursday morning to inform him that he was actually moving forward.

"I just think it's a frustrating moment for him," Hinchi said. "We can't get him on the right track, and he can't get on. It's a bad combination. We have a lot of success stories here.

Detroit has a seven-day deal or release Indiana, or the Tiger can clear the immunity and can send him directly to the minor. However, the motor can reject minor league missions because of his service hours and choose to become a free agent.

Owens' fastball hit 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in 12 games and 11 shots in Toledo and 11 shots in 14 innings.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.