It was not surprising that Kenta Maeda would undergo Tommy John surgery. When the Minnesota Twins announced last week that he would have surgery, and that he was dealing with elbow issues, such a procedure seemed inevitable. Maeda went under the knife on Wednesday, seemingly making it so that he would be lost for the 2022 season.
But that may not necessarily be the case. Maeda had a brace placed in his elbow which may speed up his recovery time, making it possible that he could return next year.
Kenta Maeda had Tommy John surgery. There was an internal brace placed in the elbow that potentially could make it a 9-12 month recovery vs. 12-16 months. #MNTwins
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) September 1, 2021
Kenta Maeda may not be lost to Minnesota Twins all next year
Maeda was unable to follow up on a strong 2020 campaign. After finishing second in the AL Cy Young vote last season, he could not replicate that success. He posted a 4.66 ERA and a 1.298 WHiP in his 106.1 innings, striking out 113 batters with 32 walks. Instead of being the staff ace, Maeda was barely able to average over five innings per start.
As it was, the rotation was likely to be a focus for the Twins in free agency. Bailey Ober is the only starter that is seemingly assured of a role in 2022, although Joe Ryan could earn a spot with a strong September. If Minnesota hopes to keep pace with the White Sox, and stay ahead of the Tigers, they will need to add arms.
That will remain the case even if Maeda is back at the early end of that projected recovery period. He would presumably be ready to begin throwing in June, putting him on pace for a return around the trade deadline. If the Twins are in the hunt, he would be an impressive addition that they would not need to move prospects to bring in.
But this obviously depends on the success of the procedure and whether or not that brace works as hoped. If his elbow is able to heal quickly, Maeda could be that boost for the second half. Otherwise, he will be lost until 2023, which would normally be the case.
Kenta Maeda is hoping that he can return to the Minnesota Twins sooner than expected. If his internal brace works, he could be back in 2022.