About 45 minutes prior to the start of the May 17 game between the Iowa Cubs and St. Paul Saints, pitcher Kenta Maeda walked to the outfield, shuffling past some fans who had been on the field for a pre-game catch.

The Chicago Cubs have agreed to a minor league contract with Kenta Maeda, giving the struggling right-hander another chance to regain his form.

Maeda, 37, was released by the Tigers earlier this month. He will be a veteran option at Triple A for a Cubs rotation hit hard by injuries.