LAKELAND, Fla. – Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch met with Kenta Maeda on Friday and told him that he would start the season pitching out of the bullpen. “What we saw from Kenta this spring was really good,” Hinch said Friday. “This guy doesn't walk people. He's striking out guys.”

Maeda’s move to the bullpen likely leaves just one open relief spot, which will come down to Andrew Chafin, Brant Hurter or Brenan Hanifee. Chafin and Hurter are both left-handers; Tyler Holton is currently the only lefty in the bullpen.

Kenta Maeda is headed back to the Tigers’ bullpen to open the season, moving the club closer to resolving the final two spots in its rotation.