Injured MN Twins Starter Receives Cortisone Shot After Setback
The Minnesota Twins bullpen has been terrible this season (29th in ERA), but that was expected. Unfortunately, the starting rotation hasn’t been all that much better, despite it being the team’s biggest strength, entering the year.
Of course, this is one problem the Twins could not have foreseen, being it’s largely due to the loss of multiple starters to injury, the first of whom was Pablo Lopez, a UCL tear that happened during the team’s first spring training practice.
Then last month they lost Mick Abel, who was acquired in the Jhoan Duran trade last July and was adjusting nicely to his new big league role early, to an elbow injury that was diagnosed as “inflammation”. On April 20, he was officially placed on the injured list, retroactive to April 17.
Mick Abel out longer for Minnesota Twins
Apparently, Abel had begun his path back to the mound this week, until soreness in his throwing arm ended a recent bullpen session, a setback that required a cortisone shot in his right tricep.
According to Dan Hayes (The Athletic), the 24-year-old will be re-evaluated on Tuesday, when the Twins return home from their road trip.
Mick Abel felt soreness after throwing a simulated bullpen on Saturday and received a cortisone shot in his tricep. First went on IL with elbow inflammation. #MNTwins will re-evaluate him on Tuesday.
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) May 7, 2026
Mick Abel made four appearances this season (three starts), before his injury, accumulating a 3.98 ERA and 2.79 FIP. In 20.1 innings, he accumulated 23 strikeouts, walked 10 batters and never allowed a home run. When he’s on, the kid has already proven to be one of the best pitchers in Minnesota’s rotation.
Unfortunately, Abel has never thrown more than 113.1 innings during a professional season, a number that will become increasingly difficult to surpass, if he doesn’t get back on the field ASAP.
Twins starting depth stretched to max
As mentioned above, the Minnesota Twins are also without their ace pitcher, Pablo Lopez, who was lost for the season to Tommy John surgery. Youngster David Festa will also be out for a considerable amount of time.
Meanwhile, Joe Ryan left his most recent start after just two batters, but after a couple days of serious anxiety around Twins Territory, he’s now expected back for his next start.
Simeon Woods Richardson (6.49 ERA 6.46 FIP) has been bad and Zebby Matthews can’t get out of Triple-A, despite all the Twins’ starter issues. We could see him soon, however, since he’s pitched better of late and the Minnesota Twins are getting desperate.
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