The Tigers placed Maeda on unconditional release waivers Wednesday.
After being designated for assignment Thursday, the Tigers will now look to remove Maeda from the organization entirely. The 37-year-old has given up seven earned runs in eight innings this season. It's hard to imagine another team is willing to pay what remains of the $10 million he's owed for that kind of production, so he'll most likely clear waivers and enter free agency.