Maeda (elbow) threw 13 pitches in a scoreless inning with a hit allowed and strikeout in his spring debut Saturday. He reached 90.3 mph with his fastball. "Just a relief to be able to come back scoreless," Maeda told MLB.com.

EDGE Analysis

Maeda hadn't thrown a competitive pitch since August of 2021 before undergoing Tommy John surgery. He hopes to reach 92-93 mph with his fastball, but velocity hasn't been a big part of his arsenal (90.5 mph in 2021). The Twins will slowly ramp him back up this spring, but the larger question is if the Twins will use a six-man rotation in April to ease Maeda back into action once the regular season begins.

Maeda (elbow) will make his Grapefruit League debut Saturday versus the Rays, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Maeda hasn't thrown a competitive pitch since August of 2021 before undergoing Tommy John surgery, but that won't keep the Twins from handing him the ball in their first game of the spring (they actually have another game starting at the same time, with Louie Varland starting that one). The right-hander will be ready to roll for Opening Day but figures to have his workload watched carefully given his long layoff.

Maeda (elbow) threw about 40 pitches Thursday in his first bullpen session of the spring, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Park notes that Maeda only topped out at around 89 mph, but that is to be expected here in February for a pitcher who is coming off Tommy John surgery. The 34-year-old right-hander is now more than 16 months removed from that procedure and is expected to have a spot near the back of the Twins' season-opening starting rotation. There's certainly some intriguing bounceback-type upside in Maeda's outlook for 2023.

Maeda (elbow) will have no restrictions during spring training, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Maeda missed all of the 2022 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery he underwent in September of 2021. The right-hander struggled to a 4.66 ERA in 21 appearances before the injury that season, but he has been an effective option in previous seasons. He's someone to monitor in the Grapefruit League, as a return to prior form could pay dividends for fantasy managers in 2023.

Maeda (elbow) is making progress in his recovery but isn't expected to pitch down the stretch of the 2022 regular season, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Maeda underwent Tommy John surgery in September of 2021 and was hopeful to return in September of 2022, but the team has since announced that he'll need more time before being activated. However, the right-hander would still be eligible for the playoff roster should the Twins advance to the postseason. Maeda is expected to advance to a live bullpen session within the next few days.

Maeda (elbow) is expected to face hitters in live batting practice sessions beginning next Monday, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Maeda has been throwing bullpen sessions for the past few weeks, with his fastball typically sitting around 87-to-90 miles per hour in those workouts. He's also incorporating his other pitches into those sessions and looks like he'll be ready to take the next step forward in his throwing progression early next week. Maeda underwent a Tommy John surgery Sept. 1 of last year that involved the insertion of an internal brace to his elbow, a modification that he believes will reduce the recovery timeline typically associated with the procedure. If he's able to make it back in September as he hopes, Maeda will likely be used out of the bullpen.

Maeda (elbow) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Friday and will throw another bullpen Monday, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's possible Maeda could return in September to pitch out of the bullpen, but he'll need to show steady progress the next few bullpen sessions before going out on a rehab assignment. Maeda is in the penultimate season of a eight-year, $25 million contract and will likely want to finish the 2022 campaign on the field so that he can enter spring training healthy and ready to compete for a spot in the Minnesota rotation.

Maeda (elbow) said Wednesday that he's hopeful to resume facing hitters in August and added that he will "most likely" work out of the bullpen if he's reinstated from the 60-day injured list this season, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Maeda provided a loose outline for his rehab program one day after he threw the 10th bullpen session of his rehab program for the alternative Tommy John procedure he underwent Sept. 1 of last year. The right-hander threw all fastballs during his 30-pitch workout Tuesday, so he'll first need to incorporate all of his pitches into his side sessions before the Twins clear him to face hitters in live batting practice. Once he's deemed ready for game action, Maeda will likely need most of the 30-day minor-league rehab window to get ramped up and sharpen his command and control following the year-long layoff. Maeda is in the penultimate season of a eight-year, $25 million contract and will likely want to finish the 2022 campaign on the field so that he can enter spring training healthy and ready to compete for a spot in the Minnesota rotation.

Maeda (elbow) threw his 10th bullpen session Tuesday, tossing 30 fastballs, Megan Ryan of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Maeda underwent a modified Tommy John surgery Sept. 1, 2021, with his procedure involving the insertion of an internal brace into his right elbow. The procedure was expected to reduce Maeda's recovery timeline to 9-to-12 months rather than the typical 12-to-16 months. He's been working his way back this summer and has been making steady progress. He said he hopes to return to the majors before the end of the season, but that timetable remains uncertain.

Maeda (elbow) said Wednesday that he hopes to resume mound work in 2-to-3 weeks, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Maeda is currently with the Twins and has been throwing off flat ground for over a month. While the right-hander now has a timetable to resume mound work, he said Wednesday that he isn't yet sure whether he'll return from the injured list prior to the end of the season.