Minnesota Twins pitcher Kenta Maeda left Thursday's start in the second inning after being struck in the ankle by a comebacker off the bat of Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran. The ball came off Duran's bat at 111.6 mph and hit Maeda directly in the ankle. While he was able to walk off the field under his own power, Maeda was diagnosed with a left ankle contusion and has seemingly avoided any serious damage. He allowed one earned run on a solo homer in his two innings of work Thursday and owns a 4.15 ERA through three outings and 13 innings of work this season in his return from Tommy John surgery. More information should be available regarding the 2020 American League Cy Young finalist within the next 24 hours.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kenta Maeda fell to 0-2 in Monday's 4-3 loss to the White Sox. Maeda pitched 6 innings, allowing all four runs on eight hits (including a three-run home run) and no walks with three strikeouts. This start was not as good as his stellar first, but the veteran has looked pretty good through his first two starts after missing the 2022 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. Maeda could end up returning to being a useful fantasy option, but fantasy managers may want to tread carefully in his next start at the Yankees.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kenta Maeda (arm) left his start early on Tuesday against the Miami Marlins due to fatigue. Otherwise, Maeda said he was feeling fine and expects to make his next start. Manager Rocco Baldelli also isn't concerned. The 34-year-old was making his first start since having Tommy John surgery in August of 2021, and he was actually pretty darn good despite dealing with fatigue, as he allowed one run on three hits while walking none and striking out nine in five innings of work. We'll have to keep a close eye on him moving forward, but all things considered, this has to be considered a positive outing for Maeda. He's currently lineup up to face the Chicago White Sox next Monday in his second start of 2023.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kenta Maeda hasn't had the best results this spring as he attempts to return from Tommy John surgery. In his four Grapefruit League starts, he has a 5.59 ERA, 1.86 WHIP, seven walks and nine strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings of work. Pitchers coming off Tommy John surgery sometimes struggle with their control, so this could be Maeda working through those issues after not pitching at all in 2022. The 34-year-old is fully expected to begin the 2023 season in Minnesota's rotation, so his control issues will be something to watch when the games start counting. It makes him a risky fantasy asset, as the veteran right-hander relies on control over power when he's on the mound.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kenta Maeda (elbow) will make his Grapefruit League debut in spring training this Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Twins are ready to get a look at Maeda. The 34-year-old veteran right-hander last pitched in the majors in August of 2021 before undergoing Tommy John surgery and missing all of last year. Maeda should be a staple in Minnesota's starting rotation this year, but he could face an innings limit in his first year back, thus capping his fantasy upside. It will be interesting to see how Tommy John surgery affects his control, too, which is arguably the most important part of Maeda's game. Because of his lack of velocity, Maeda relies on pinpoint control and inducing weak contact from opponents.

Minnesota Twins right-hander Kenta Maeda (elbow) threw a live batting practice session at spring training on Sunday. Maeda reportedly felt great after the session. He didn't pitch at all in 2022 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he's in camp and appears to be ready for the start of the 2023 season. The 34-year-old has never relied on velocity to be successful, so he could be back to top form faster than other pitchers coming off Tommy John surgery. As long as he doesn't have any setbacks in camp, he should open the year in the Twins' starting rotation, and he has plenty of bounce-back potential for fantasy managers looking for late bargains in drafts this spring.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kenta Maeda (elbow) said he threw around 40 pitches in his first bullpen session of spring training on Thursday, and he topped out around 89 mph. "In comparison to what I was throwing in September last year, it feels much better right now," Maeda said. "I can tell you that much." The 34-year-old veteran right-hander is recovering from Tommy John surgery, which caused him to miss the entire 2022 season. Barring any setbacks, Maeda should have a role in the back of Minnesota's starting rotation to open 2023, but we'll keep a close eye on his progress in spring games. Despite a 4.66 ERA in 2021 for the Twins, Maeda limited hard contact and had 113 strikeouts in 106 1/3 innings, so there's some bounce-back potential as a flier in the later rounds of drafts.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kenta Maeda (elbow) said that he won't have any restrictions and is expected to have a normal spring training. Maeda didn't pitch at all last season after having Tommy John surgery in September of 2021. The 34-year-old veteran right-hander is apparently recovered, though, but he won't be all that attractive to fantasy managers after finishing his 2021 campaign with a 4.66 ERA in 21 starts for the Twins. It remains to be seen how effective Maeda will be in his return from elbow reconstruction, so he'll be one to watch closely in spring training games. When healthy, Maeda hasn't been a big strikeout guy in his six major-league seasons, but he does have a decent 3.87 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 762 innings pitched.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kenta Maeda (elbow) is throwing 87-90 mph and is progressing towards a live bullpen session, according to beat writer Aaron Gleeman. Maeda has been throwing off a mound recently and is working his way towards a potential September debut with the Twins. The veteran hurler underwent Tommy John surgery last September and could help Minnesota in a late-season playoff push if all goes well. The 34-year-old compiled a 6-5 record, 4.66 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 113:32 K/BB ratio over 106 1/3 innings (21 starts) during the 2021 season prior to his surgery.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kenta Maeda (elbow) was reportedly placed on the 60-day injured list on Saturday, per The Star Tribune's Phil Miller. Maeda underwent Tommy John surgery in September and will miss significant time this season. The veteran pitched to a 4.66 ERA and a 4.10 FIP in 106 1/3 innings for the Twins last season, striking out 113 batters while allowing 32 walks. He was placed on the 60-day injured list to make room on the 40-man roster for the signing of right-handed reliever Joe Smith. With Maeda on the injured list, Minnesota's current rotation options include Sonny Gray, Joe Ryan, Dylan Bundy, Bailey Ober, Griffin Jaxand Randy Dobnak.

Minnesota Twins pitcher Kenta Maeda (elbow) is targeting a September return from Tommy John surgery. "Even if I can return, it will be around September," said Maeda. "It's not a zero percent chance." The Twins right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery last September but had an internal brace put into his right elbow to help reduce the recovery timeline from 16 to 12 months. "Even if it doesn't happen, it's nothing to be depressed about. In that case, I'll just come back healthy next year." He is expected to resume playing catch in mid-February. The 33-year-old struggled with groin/elbow injuries last season, owning a 6-5 record along with a 4.66 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and a 113:32 K: BB across 106 1/3 innings. Maeda could return at some point in 2022 and is worth stashing in dynasty formats or leagues with multiple injured reserve spots.

Minnesota Twins pitcher Kenta Maeda (forearm) underwent Tommy John surgery, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reported on Wednesday. The 33-year-old right-hander exited his last outing on August 21 due to tightness in his right forearm. Maeda has reportedly had an internal brace placed in his right elbow, which is expected to cut down his recovery time to 9-to-12 months instead of the usual 12-to-16 months. Still, the veteran pitcher wouldn't see playing time until late in the 2022 season at the earliest.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kenta Maeda (forearm) is getting second opinions on his forearm issue because there is some concern about possible UCL involvement after he landed on the injured list on Monday. UCL involvement means potential Tommy John surgery if the injury is serious enough, so there's no guarantee that the 33-year-old right-hander will be back again this season. If Tommy John surgery is eventually required, Maeda would miss most, if not all, of the 2022 campaign. Maeda has been very average this year with a 4.66 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 113 strikeouts and 32 walks in 106 1/3 innings in his second season in Minnesota. In mixed leagues, we wouldn't recommend holding onto him since there's a chance he won't make it back to close out the year.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kenta Maeda (forearm) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Monday due to right forearm tightness, the team announced on Twitter. Maeda suffered the injury in his last outing against the Yankees, as he was forced to exit in the fifth inning on Saturday. He's had a rough year on the mound so far, going 6-5 with a 4.66 ERA, 1.298 WHIP and 24.9 percent strikeout rate over 106 1/3 innings of work. Managers who still have him rostered can stash him on the IL for now, but it's entirely possible the Twins may decide to shut him down for the year.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kenta Maeda (forearm) has been placed on the injured list with right forearm tightness. Maeda exited his most recent start against the Yankees on Saturday with the issue, which will result in his second stint on the injured list this season. The veteran right-hander had appeared to turn things around after a strong month of July, though it's been a tough season overall in the follow-up to his strong 2020 campaign. It's unclear how much time Maeda will miss, though he may not be able to provide fantasy managers with much value if he returns late enough in the season. Miguel Sano will return from the paternity list to take Maeda's spot on the roster.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kenta Maeda (forearm) exited his start on Saturday with right forearm tightness, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. It's the words that no manager wants to hear when it comes to pitchers, and it's also somewhat concerning given the fact that his start had been pushed back a few days from Thursday to Saturday. Maeda has struggled with the worst performance of his career this season, going 6-4 with a 4.41 ERA, 1.304 WHIP and 25 percent strikeout rate over 102 innings of work. Managers should consider him day-to-day for the time being, and keep an eye out for updates after the game.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kenta Maeda will have his start pushed back a few days. The veteran righty will take the ball against the New York Yankees on Saturday instead of pitching Thursday. The 33-year-old was solid last time out, but has been disappointing throughout most of the 2021 season. It's tough to imagine that Maeda will be a reliable streaming option on Saturday. The Yankees lineup has been hot over the last 10 games or so. Fantasy managers should be cautious around Maeda right now.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kenta Maeda rebounded from a tough start to put together a solid effort in Sunday's win over the Astros. Maeda pitched five innings of three-run ball, allowing six hits while walking three batters. He struck out five, generating a healthy 16 swinging strikes, 12 of them on his slider, which was perhaps the best it's looked all season. Batters were teeing off on Maeda's slider earlier in the year, though it's back to being his go-to, swing-and-miss offering, as it was last season when it helped power him to a second-place finish in the Cy Young race. Maeda was fantastic in July, pitching to a 2.15 ERA with a 36:6 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He allowed five runs to Cincinnati in his first start of August, though he righted the ship with this performance ahead of his next outing against the Rays, who have been prone to striking out this year.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kenta Maeda put together an uneven performance in Tuesday's win over the Reds. The strikeout stuff was there, as Maeda fanned nine batters and walked just one over five innings, though he also surrendered five runs on seven hits, including three homers. This was a clear step back, as the veteran righty had allowed three runs or less in each of his previous five starts. While it's certainly frustrating, the fact that Maeda was able to generate a solid amount of swings and misses should at least give managers reason to believe he can find his form from July. Even still, it will be hard for gamers to fully trust him against a stout Astros' lineup in his next outing.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kenta Maeda has a tough matchup coming on Tuesday when he takes the mound in the series opener with the Reds. The Reds have been on a roll over their last 10 games, slashing .299/.377/.540 while averaging 6.1 runs per game over that span. On top of that, Cincinnati has been hitting well against right-handers this year (.256/.338/433) and they have been hitting better at home (.258/.342/.448) than on the road (.246/.324/.400). This looks to be trouble for Maeda, because while he put up a good performance in July by going 1-1 with a 2.15 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 36 strikeouts over 29 1/3 innings, he has pitched very poorly on the road this year (5.50 ERA, 1.35 WHIP). As a result, managers may want to consider leaving Maeda on the bench for this outing.