4 years agoMinnesota Twins starting pitcher Kenta Maeda was so-so in a no-decision against the Athletics on Sunday. Maeda pitched four innings, allowing five runs- three earned- on eight hits while fanning two batters with one walk. The veteran right-hander was solid through four frames and appeared to be headed towards a win, though he fell apart in the fifth inning, allowing four straight hits and a run before he was yanked. Manager Rocco Baldelli said that Maeda was dealing with a groin issue on Sunday and that he's getting treatment for it. It's not clear how much the issue had to do with his results, though his outing was a step back after two relatively solid ones. Perhaps the most concerning thing about Maeda's profile is his significant drop in strikeout rate- 20.5 percent in 2021- which would be the lowest mark of his career. Maeda has the talent to bounce back, but a groin injury would undoubtedly be a roadblock in his potential return to form.--Tim Capurso
Source: ESPN