Paddack is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Brewers at American Family Field.

EDGE Analysis

After making his return from Tommy John surgery late last season, Paddack's lone three appearances with Minnesota came as a reliever, so he'll be making his first regular-season start since May 8, 2022 when he takes the hill Wednesday. The right-hander broke camp with a rotation spot in hand despite not being particularly sharp during Grapefruit League play, finishing with a 4.73 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 10:3 K:BB in 13.1 innings.

Paddack has added a cutter to his arsenal and threw it four times in his spring debut Friday against the University of Minnesota in an exhibition game, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Paddack threw 1.2 scoreless innings with two strikeouts and a walk. "I've seen guys throw it, but I've never thrown it," Paddack said. "I'm trying to learn how to use it in certain counts, aggressive hitters, behind in the count, whatever that might be."

EDGE Analysis

After making a full recovery from his May 2022 Tommy John surgery, Paddack returned to action for the Twins in late September and struck out eight while allowing three earned runs across five innings between his two relief appearances during the regular season, then struck out six over 3.2 scoreless frames during Minnesota's postseason run. Adding another pitch to his mix could help him as a starter, where the Twins hope he can return to his 2019 form when he had a 3.33 ERA and 26.9% strikeout rate for the Padres. While he's penciled in as the No. 4 starter in the rotation, his innings may be limited in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery.

Manager Rocco Baldelli said Paddack is scheduled to start the Twins' spring opener Friday versus the University of Minnesota, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Paddack threw approximately 55 pitches Sunday in a live session and is expected to work about two innings in the exhibition contest. After making a full recovery from his May 2022 Tommy John surgery, Paddack returned to action for the Twins in late September and struck out eight while allowing three earned runs across five innings between his two relief appearances during the regular season, then struck out six over 3.2 scoreless frames during Minnesota's postseason run. Now nearly two years removed from elbow surgery and entering the second season of a three-year, $12.5 million deal, Paddack will be vying for a spot in Minnesota's Opening Day rotation this spring.

Paddack (1-0) earned the win Saturday against the Rockies. He allowed two hits while striking out four over three scoreless innings.

EDGE Analysis

Paddack entered the game after one inning in place of Emilio Pagan and fired off three scoreless frames for his first win of 2023. Though Paddack spent most of the season recovering from Tommy John surgery, he's managed to make two appearances down the stretch, allowing three runs over two innings in his first outing before blanking the Rockies on Saturday.

The Twins reinstated Paddack (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Paddack has been on the shelf all season while recovering from the Tommy John procedure -- the second of his career -- he underwent in May 2022. He made three rehab starts in the minors, giving up four runs over 9.2 innings. Paddack figures to initially serve in a multi-inning relief role during Minnesota's postseason run, and he will likely rejoin the rotation in 2024. The Twins optioned Josh Winder to Triple-A St. Paul and transferred Jovani Moran (forearm) to the 60-day injured list as corresponding moves.

Paddack (elbow) struck out six over four innings and gave up two earned runs on four hits and no walks in a rehab start Tuesday with Double-A Wichita.

EDGE Analysis

In his second rehab appearance as he gears up for a return from Tommy John surgery, Paddack tossed 58 pitches and relayed after the game that he feels "outstanding," per MLB.com. Paddack was scheduled to throw a bullpen session later this week before heading to Triple-A St. Paul, where he's expected to make his next rehab appearance in a relief role. If all goes well during the upcoming appearance, Paddack could be activated from the 60-day injured list as soon as Sept. 22 to fill a multi-inning role out of the Minnesota bullpen.

Paddack (elbow) allowed two runs on two hits and two walks across 2.2 innings of work Wednesday in his first rehab appearance with Low-A Fort Myers, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

According to Nightengale, Paddack sat around 95 mph with his fastball and induced five whiffs on six swings against his changeup. Paddack is nearly 16 months removed from Tommy John surgery and presumably will require at least a couple more rehab appearances before being activated. The Twins could use him as a multi-inning reliever late in the season.

Paddack (elbow) said Tuesday that he'll begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Fort Myers on Sept. 6, John Shipley of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Paddack has spent all season on the 60-day injured list while working his way back from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in May 2022. He's been facing live hitters since the start of August and is set to throw a three-inning sim game at the team's complex in Florida this week. There's been no indication on how long Paddack's assignment could last, but there's a chance the 27-year-old righty is able to rejoin the Minnesota bullpen in a multi-inning relief role in time for the team's playoff push.

Paddack (elbow) is expected to throw a three-inning simulated game this week at the Twins' spring training complex in Florida, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

After undergoing the second Tommy John surgery of his career in May 2022, Paddack is in the process of building his arm back up. He'll add an inning to his workload this week after he threw two innings of live batting practice last week. Paddack, Twins trainer Nick Paparesta and the right-hander's surgeon, Dr. Keith Meister, are scheduled to discuss the next steps after the three-inning sim game. If both Meister and Paparesta are satisfied with how Paddack has come along in his recovery from surgery, the 27-year-old could be cleared for what would likely be an extended minor-league rehab assignment in September.

Paddack (elbow) is on track to begin facing live hitters in mid-August, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Paddack is about 14 months removed from his second career Tommy John surgery and has been throwing bullpen sessions without issue since the beginning of June. The 27-year-old right-hander could potentially be an option for the Twins' pitching staff sometime in September if all continues to go smoothly with his throwing program.