DETROIT -- Veteran starting pitcher Kenta Maeda has confirmed that the end of his Detroit Tigers’ tenure in April also marked the end of his Major League career.

The 37-year-old right-hander is headed back to Japan to conclude his playing days.

Maeda had hinted at the decision earlier this summer in an interview with a Japanese television station, but he made it official this week with an announcement on social media .

Maeda wrote:

I’ve decided to continue my career in Japan starting next season. Playing baseball in the United States from 2016 to 2025 has been a dream come true and a decade full of unforgettable moments for which I’m deeply grateful. I’m incredibly thankful for all the amazing teammates, staff, and fans I’ve met along the way, and those connections mean the world t

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