LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers have finalized a $25 million, eight-year contract with Japanese pitcher Kenta Maeda, a deal that could be worth $106.2 million if he stays healthy.
The team introduced the 27-year-old right-hander during a news conference Thursday at Dodger Stadium.
Maeda and the Dodgers acknowledged that his physical revealed unspecified "irregularities." Maeda has had elbow issues but says he's confident he will be able to pitch a full season in the major leagues.
If Maeda is on the Dodgers' opening-day roster each season and makes 32 starts and pitches 200 innings each year, he would receive the full $106.2 million.
Andrew Friedman, president of baseball operations, says Maeda shows no symptoms of any physical problems and the team is optimistic he will help it win.
