Maeda (elbow) threw a live bullpen session Wednesday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports. He gave up five earned runs and two home runs in his last spring outing March 19 and has a 6.23 ERA this spring with a 8:7 K:BB ratio in 8.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Maeda hadn't thrown a competitive pitch before this spring since August of 2021 when he underwent Tommy John surgery. By all accounts he's healthy and ready for the start of the regular season, though e's struggled with his control this spring, which could be just the result of a veteran getting in his work and not as worried about results. However, it could also be a sign his command isn't sharp in his initial return from the procedure. Watch his final spring outing and performance early in the season, but he looks set to begin the year in the Minnesota rotation, and there hasn't ye been talk of a six-man rotation to ease him into action.