Manager Dave Roberts announced Sunday that Maeda's next relief outing will likely be Wednesday or Thursday against the Indians, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Dodgers are being strategic with Maeda's usage out of the bullpen and tentatively plan to have him piggyback on the start of either Brandon McCarthy on Wednesday or Rich Hill on Thursday against the defending AL champs. The veteran hurler will likely remain in the bullpen until an injury opens a spot in the rotation.

Maeda tossed four innings of one-run ball while striking out six in relief Friday, picking up his first career save in the process.

EDGE Analysis

It was a successful debut in the bullpen for the 29-year-old, who was recently booted from the rotation to make way for Alex Wood (shoulder). While he earned the rare four-inning save Friday, Maeda won't be seeing save opportunities regularly as a long reliever. His fantasy value is diminished in this role, but he could return to relevance should a spot in the rotation open up again.

Maeda will not make his scheduled start Saturday and will move to the bullpen, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Contrary to prior reports, the Dodgers will cast Maeda off of the rotation to allow Alex Wood (shoulder) and Hyun-Jin Ryu to be in the rotation moving forward. Wood and Ryu will start Saturday' and Sunday's contest, respectively, although Maeda is expected to piggyback either Rich Hill or Wood on Friday or Saturday. This doesn't seem to be a permanent move, but manager Dave Roberts seems to be intent on keeping the top performers in the rotation at a given time, meaning Maeda seems to be locked in as a bullpen piece until another rotation member falters or gets injured.

Maeda will make his next scheduled start Saturday against the Reds, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Maeda was moderately effective in Sunday's start against the Brewers, but it was yet another short outing for the right-hander. He allowed two runs over 4.0 innings, marking his third straight start of 5.0 or less innings. Maeda did manage to fan seven hitters in that span, but McCullough notes that frustration with his overall performance of late is growing.

Maeda allowed three runs on four hits and three walks across four innings in a no-decision Tuesday against the Cardinals. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Maeda labored through a first inning in which he was touched up for three runs, and although he settled down thereafter he was removed with an elevated pitch count after four. He has allowed no more than three runs in any of his last five starts, but that stretch has lost some of its luster after six earned runs over nine innings in back-to-back outings against St. Louis. He has struggled to a 5.21 ERA and 1.28 WHIP through 48.1 innings and will face the Brewers on Sunday in his next start.

Maeda (4-2) gave up three runs on seven hits over five innings Thursday. He walked two and struck out four in a win over the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

The 29-year-old was almost lifted for a pinch-hitter when his spot in the order came up in the bottom of the fourth with two outs and two men on base. Manager Dave Roberts decided to let his starter bat and Maeda delivered with a two-RBI single, rewarding fantasy owners with a victory in the process. The veteran admitted that he was a bit rusty in the first inning when he surrendered all three of the runs charged to his name, but he regained his aggressiveness in the strike zone and held the Cardinals scoreless the rest of the way. If we include the three starts before his recent trip to the disabled list, Maeda has looked more like the pitcher that broke out in 2016, posting a .284 ERA and 8.9 K/9 over over those four outings.

Maeda (hamstring) has been officially activated from the disabled list ahead of Thursday's start against the Cardinals, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Dodgers placed center fielder Joc Pederson on the 7-day concussion DL to clear a roster spot for Maeda, who had been shelved with a hamstring injury. Maeda had his best start of the season prior to going on the DL, holding the Pirates to two earned runs over 8.1 innings. He'll face a St. Louis lineup that ranks 16th in MLB in wOBA in May.

Maeda will start Thursday against St. Louis if his rehab assignment Friday for High-A Rancho Cucamonga goes as planned, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

EDGE Analysis

Maeda will throw 60 pitches in Friday's rehab start, so don't expect him to go deep into his first start back even if he is effective. His 5.03 ERA in his first seven starts is underwhelming, but Maeda posted an encouraging 40:9 K:BB over 39.1 innings, a good sign that he can perform closer to the 3.48 ERA he posted in 2016 going forward.

Maeda (hamstring) is set to pitch four innings at High-A Rancho Cucamonga, SB Nation's Eric Stephen reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander's pitch count will be limited to 60 on Friday, and if his outing goes off without incident, he'll be lined up to start Wednesday or Thursday against the Cardinals. Maeda's rehab has gone well to this point, and there was speculation earlier in his DL stint that he'd be activated after the minimum 10 days. While that won't be the case, Maeda is still nearing a return within the next week.

Maeda (hamstring) is expected to be activated from the disabled list sometime during the Dodgers' series with the Cardinals next week, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports.

EDGE Analysis

There was some speculation that Made could return after the minimum 10 days on the DL in order to start Sunday's contest, but the Dodgers will instead turn to Brandon McCarthy for that outing. No exact date for his return has been provided, nor have the Dodgers revealed who will be bumped from the rotation to make room for the Japanese hurler, but more information on that should emerge sometime in the next week.