X-rays turned up negative on Maeda's left ankle after he was struck by a comebacker Thursday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Maeda took a 111.6 mph line drive off his left leg in the second inning of his start Thursday afternoon against the Red Sox and did not return for the third inning, but he was walking around the postgame clubhouse without a limp and didn't even have the ankle wrapped. It sounds like he might be able to fill his next scheduled turn in the Twins' rotation next week against the Yankees. The 35-year-old righty allowed one run (on a solo homer) over two innings Thursday before exiting. He issued one walk and recorded no strikeouts.

Maeda was removed from Thursday's start against the Red Sox after being struck on the left ankle by a comebacker, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

A 111.6 mph screamer off the bat of Jarren Duran appeared to catch Maeda flush on the ankle in the bottom of the second inning. Miraculously, Maeda was able to gather himself to throw Duran out at first base before crumpling to the ground in pain. He was able to walk off the field under his own power. Maeda has been diagnosed with a left ankle contusion for now, but he's headed for X-rays to see if there's any more damage. The righty allowed one run over two innings before being lifted.

Maeda (arm) is set to start for the Twins on Thursday against Boston, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Maeda exited his first start of the season due to arm fatigue and had his most recent turn in the rotation skipped Saturday. Now, coming off plenty of rest, the veteran righty will rejoin the rotation and look to bounce back from his most recent appearance in which he allowed four runs over six innings.

Maeda (arm) will have his turn through the rotation skipped during Minnesota's weekend series against the Yankees, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Maeda exited his first start of the season prematurely due to arm fatigue. He proceeded to make his next outing on regular rest, but he allowed eight hits and four earned runs across six innings to take the loss. Maeda will now have his turn in the rotation -- which lined up to be Saturday -- skipped, but he's avoiding the injured list for the time being. To accommodate Maeda's absence, Louie Varland will be recalled from Triple-A St. Paul to start Friday while Tyler Mahle's start will be pushed to Saturday.

Maeda (0-2) took the loss Monday, allowing four runs on eight hits and zero walks over six innings in a 4-3 loss against the White Sox. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Maeda surrendered all four runs in the top of the fourth inning on an RBI single and a three-run shot over the wall in left center. He looked strong previously in his first start of the season (one run allowed on three hits and no walks while fanning nine) but wasn't nearly as sharp Monday afternoon. Maeda tentatively lines up to take the mound this weekend against the Yankees.

Maeda (arm) is listed as the Twins' probable starting pitcher for Monday's game against the White Sox at Target Field.

EDGE Analysis

Maeda's inclusion on the pitching schedule to begin the Twins' seven-game week is an indication that he's feeling fine after he exited his most recent start last Tuesday against the Marlins due to right arm fatigue. In spite of the issue, Maeda turned in a gem in his 2023 debut, limiting Miami to one run one three hits and no walks while striking out nine over five innings. Maeda is lined up for a two-start week, with his second turn expected to come Saturday in New York versus the Yankees.

Maeda (arm) said he exited Tuesday's start against the Marlins while feeling some fatigue, but he otherwise feels fine and expects to make his next turn through the rotation, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's encouraging news on the veteran right-hander, who was making his first start for the Twins since he underwent Tommy John surgery in August of 2021. He took a tough-luck loss Tuesday with Sandy Alcantara dominating in a three-hit shutout, but he pitched exceptionally well with nine strikeouts and just one run allowed on three hits and no walks over five innings. Assuming no further issues crop up, the 34-year-old tentatively lines up to next take the mound Monday against the White Sox.

Maeda was removed from Tuesday's start against the Marlins with an apparent arm injury, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran right-hander started off with five scoreless frames in his first outing since undergoing Tommy John surgery in August of 2021, but he gave up a leadoff single in the sixth and appeared to tweak his arm before exiting with the athletic trainer. The Twins haven't officially announced an injury for Maeda, but any potential arm issue is an obvious concern, especially in his first start back. He finished with a final line of one run allowed on three hits with nine strikeouts and no walks in five-plus innings and was on the hook for the loss at the time of his exit.

Maeda gave up two runs on three hits and three walks with five strikeouts in Friday's spring training win over the Yankees. He lowered his spring ERA to 4.91 and has a 14:10 K:BB in 14.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Maeda improved from his previous spring outing where he gave up five runs and two home runs in four innings. Walks continue to be an issue for Maeda this spring, however. He is working his way back from August 2021 Tommy John surgery and pitching in his first games this spring. His high walk totals this spring could be a sign his command isn't sharp yet after undergoing surgery. It could also just be a byproduct of a veteran in spring training working on pitches without too much regard to the results. Monitor his performance early in the season, but he's set to begin the year in the Minnesota rotation.

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.