Kenta Maeda has been a known face in the world of professional baseball for quite a while now. From Nippon Professional Baseball to Major League Baseball, he has shown consistent growth. Now, as the Japanese pitcher enters the twilight of his playing career, everyone from fans to baseball enthusiasts is curious. They want to know more about the man behind the mound—his roots, personal life, career, and more.

Kenta Maeda’s Ethnicity, Nationality & Background

Kenta Maeda was born on April 11, 1988, in Osaka, Japan. He is of Japanese ethnicity and holds Japanese nationality too. Maeda began his baseball career in Japan, and there he quickly rose to fame when playing for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. He was known for his disciplined approach, and thanks to that work ethic and leadership, he became a household name in Japan. He became the Carp’s ace pitcher—everyone adored him.

Before joining MLB, he had already established himself as one of Japan’s most elite pitchers. His control, versatility, and poise were what he was known for. During his eight-year stay with Hiroshima, Maeda ended up recording 97 wins, 67 losses, and an eye-watering 2.39 ERA over 218 games. Kenta Maeda even clinched the Sawamura Award—and not once but twice—and led the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts to get the pitching triple crown.

Who is Kenta Maeda’s wife?

Kenta Maeda is married to Saho Narushima. She is a former Japanese TV announcer from Tokai TV. The couple locked into the bond of marriage in 2012. Saho is, in fact, two years older than Kenta. And her role in Kenta’s life is extremely significant, given that she has been known for her strong public presence and support for her husband’s career. The couple also has two children, first a daughter who was born in 2013 and then a son who was born in 2018.

Narushima has stood by Maeda throughout his journey, whether it be between countries or between teams. And she has often shared glimpses of their life on social media. She is known not just to be a support system for Maeda mentally and emotionally, but also physically. Yes, she manages his diet with severe attention. She has even earned certifications as a vegetable sommelier and food meister to ensure her husband stays in top condition. That’s the level of love and adoration she has for him.

But her influence goes far beyond the house and to the diamond, too. See, when Maeda was making a crucial decision to move to MLB, Saho played a key role in steering him towards the Los Angeles Dodgers. She moved to LA because of the West Coast climate and the Japanese communities that were present there. Not to forget “Little Tokyo”—so ”she felt it was a good setting for them to raise their children too. However, recent updates show a new chapter. Recently, Narushima shared a message saying, “At a turning point in my 10 years in America, I decided to return to Japan with my children. I am truly grateful for the wonderful friends I was able to meet in America and for being able to raise my kids in a good environment.” 

Kenta Maeda Net Worth, Salary & Career Earnings

As of 2025, Kenta Maeda’s net worth is estimated to be around $52.4 million. His current salary sits at $3 million annually, and his overall earnings have accumulated from a combination of several things, from base salaries and bonuses to incentives from his baseball career both in America and Japan.

In fact, Maeda had made waves in Japan earlier on, being one of NPB’s top-paid pitchers. His move to MLB began with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016. He signed a deal with several performance-based incentives. The structure of his MLB contracts was heavy on bonuses, and that reflected both his durability and the team’s cautious stance when it comes to a transition from Asia to America’s baseball.

In 2024, he signed a two-year, $24 million contract with the Detroit Tigers, which, well, in hindsight, was an unfruitful investment. In the first year, he struggled with a 3-7 record and a painful 6.09 ERA across 29 games. The decline continued in 2025, and this led to his designation for assignment in May after recording a 7.88 ERA in just seven relief appearances.

Kenta Maeda’s MLB Career Stats & Achievements

Kenta Maeda’s MLB career has seen it all, from the significant peaks to the valleys. He had first joined the Los Angeles Dodgers and then made an immediate impact. It was 2016, and he ended up clinching a career high of 16 wins and finished third in the National League Rookie of the Year voting.

But his best season came in the COVID-shortened year, when he was with the Minnesota Twins. He went 6-1 with a 2.70 ERA, striking out 80 and walking just 10 in 66.2 innings. The performance was so good that he got the runner-up spot for the American League Cy Young Award, losing only to Shane Bieber. That season had solidified him as one of the most consistent arms in the league.

When it comes to his career numbers, he has compiled a 68-56 record. He has a 4.20 ERA across 226 appearances. This includes the run he had with the Dodgers from 2016 to 2019, then the Twins from 2020 to 2023, and the Tigers from 2024 to 2025. Maeda had missed the 2022 season completely, given that he was recovering from Tommy John surgery. It was one of the lowest points in his career, but he bounced back nicely.

Now, in May 2025, after being released by the Detroit Tigers, Maeda ended up signing a minor league contract with the New York Yankees. Whether he will be in MLB action again remains to be seen. Now, at age 37 with a declining velocity and results that are mixed, maybe he might be nearing the end of his baseball career in America. And his wife and family’s move also hints at that.

Conclusion

Kenta Maeda’s baseball journey has been anything but easy. He has done it all, from dominating Japan’s top league to becoming a strong presence in the MLB rotation. But whatever may be the case, his legacy of a two-continent star is secure and uniquely his.