Heading into June, the Detroit Tigers sit at the head of what is otherwise an expected class of World Series contenders. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and both New York squads sit within 2.

Former Detroit Tigers right-hander Kenta Maeda, who the Tigers recently designated for assignment, signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs.

Seiya Suzuki and Pete Crow-Armstrong are the first pair of teammates in Chicago Cubs history to reach 50 RBIs in the club’s first 56 games.

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.