Veteran MN Twins Starter on Rehab Assignment
The Minnesota Twins will play their rubber match today at Target Field against the (33-50) Colorado Rockies. On paper, losing this series would be a rough look, even for a (39-45) Twins team that’s been runnin below .500 for most of the season.
It’s no secret. The Twins’ biggest problems lie in the bullpen, which entered Sunday as arguably the worst in baseball, toting a 5.51 ERA in 304 innings and an opponent batting of .268 with (.789 OPS).
Meanwhile, life as a Minnesota Twins starter hasn’t been much better, of late. This morning, MN Twins starters woke up with a 4.47 ERA and .249 batting average against (.739 OPS).
Bailey Ober starting up rehab assignment
On Sunday, though, we got a little bit of good news when word got out that veteran starting pitcher Bailey Ober (right elbow inflammation) is starting a rehab assignment today down at High-A Cedar Rapids, where he is expected to throw 50 pitches.
Bailey Ober (elbow) is scheduled to make his first rehab appearance today with High-A Cedar Rapids.
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) June 28, 2026
Twins' plan is for Ober to throw around 50 pitches in his first game action since May 30.
Bailey Ober making a rehab start at High A in Appleton today. This is my kind of workday. #TRatNation #uddertuggers pic.twitter.com/g2gqw6Ygsz
— Chase Thornton-Fantasy Football 🏈 (@SttChaseFFB) June 28, 2026
Related: Minnesota Twins May Still Sell at Deadline
Prior to injury, Bailey Ober pitched 66.2 innings for the 2026 Minnesota Twins, allowing 12 home runs and 18 walks in 12 starts. Ober’s numbers aren’t great. His 4.59 ERA is the second-worst of his career, behind only last season, where he posted a 5.10 ERA in 146.1 innings.
Same can be said for his 1.215 WHIP and 95 ERA+. His career worst 4.97 FIP tells us that bad luck has nothing to do with his downfall, either. Still, the Twins are so desperate for pitching help — especially after Mick Abel recently suffered yet another setback during his rehab from an elbow injury.
Despite his warts, MN Twins will happily welcome Ober back
In fact, Minnesota is ready to welcome Ober back with open arms, and for good reason. Officially halfway through the season (83 GP), the Twins pitching staff currently ranks (out of 30) 28th in ERA (4.89), 27th in ERA+ (90), 22nd in FIP (4.42) and 26th in WHIP (1.410).
While their bullpen has been even more inconsistent, the most frustrating struggles have been in the starting rotation. We all knew what we were going to get out of the Minnesota Twins relief corps this season… nothing.
Bailey Ober's four-seam is the worst-graded in baseball at a 68 proStuff+. At 88.5 mph with a 14 percent whiff rate and a .409 wOBA allowed, hitters are teeing off. Lucas Giolito matches him at 68, and McGreevy is in the same conversation. pic.twitter.com/9QH6wXG64b
— Pitch Profiler (@pitchprofiler) June 25, 2026
Related: Luke Keaschall Moving Positions for MN Twins?
That’s what happens when a team trades away all of its best relief talent at the trade deadline (including multiple 2026 All-Stars), then refuses to replenish any of that lost talent on the trade or free agency markets.
However, the starting rotation was supposed to be the Twins’ biggest strength. Instead, a constant barrage of injuries that called for extended stays on the IL, have completely torpedoed those hopes and dreams. Adding Bailey Ober back might help… but don’t hold your collective breaths.
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