Minnesota Twins right-hander Kenta Maeda poses for a photo on Jan. 7, 2022, in Tokyo. (Kyodo)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Minnesota Twins right-hander Kenta Maeda, who underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery to restore his pitching arm last fall, said Friday he is hopeful he can return during the 2022 season.

       "Even if I can return, it will be around September. It's not a zero percent chance," Maeda told reporters in Tokyo, hinting at the possibility of a midseason comeback.

       "Even if it doesn't happen, it's nothing to be depressed about. In that case, I'll just come back healthy next year."

       The 33-year-old Japanese is expected to resume playing catch during spring training in mid-February.

       After an incredible 11-start campaign in the abbreviated 2020 season, Maeda took a big step back in 2021 before suffering the injury in August and going under the knife in September. He had a brace placed in his elbow, which could speed up his recovery time.

       Maeda went 6-5 with a 4.66 ERA over 106-1/3 innings in 2021.

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