MN Twins Young Starter Suffers Another Setback

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Mick Abel, Minnesota Twins
Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

There was a time when the Minnesota Twins believed they had starting pitching depth for 2026. That evaporated almost immediately when Pablo Lopez went down with a torn UCL in spring training. From there, injuries in the rotation have been piling up.

New manager Derek Shelton’s bullpen, as expected, has been questionable, at best… and usually much worse. That can be easily mended at the deadline. However, the MN Twins need their starting rotation to get healthier, if they want to avoid being sellers at the August 3 MLB trade deadline.

That’s why the organization was so excited to get young flamethrower, Mick Abel, back in the mix as soon as this weekend. The 24-year-old, 2025 trade deadline acquisition hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since April 14, due to right elbow soreness/inflammation.

After two outings at Triple-A with the St. Paul Saints, the last of which he went 5 innings and looked like his dominant self, Abel was scheduled to throw a bullpen session this weekend before taking the mound for Minnesota (hopefully) Sunday.

Minnesota Twins starter Mick Abel remains injured

Unfortunately, something went wrong during that 20-minute bullpen session Friday, according to Bobby Nightengale (Star Tribune), who reported Saturday evening that Mick Abel has suffered a setback that will yet again delay his return to the MN Twins’ rotation.

Mick Abel had a setback with his recovery after his 20-pitch bullpen session Friday and won’t return from the IL this week. He will undergo an MRI when the team returns to Minnesota.

— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr.bsky.social) 2026-06-20T22:59:34.289Z

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first setback of Abel’s return from injury. A couple weeks after he landed on the IL back in April, he suffered an initial setback that pushed his return out months. Back then, he received a cortisone shot and time off. What happens now that he’s been dealt yet another rehab blow, is TBD…

Mick Abel came to the Twins as the main piece back from Philadelphia, in the Jhoan Duran trade last deadline. He earned a rotation spot over Zebby Matthews, coming out of Spring Training, and was on his way to proving he’s as good a starter as his stuff says he should be.

Related: Byron Buxton Shuts Down Trade Rumors Again

The 2020 first round pick (No. 15 overall) went three innings (47 pitches) in his first rehab start for the Saints back on June 10. He followed that up with five innings (61 pitches) in his second outing on June 16, lining him up to start again Sunday or Monday back with the Twins.

Both appearances looked good in the box score, too. Abel piled up 10 strikeouts with no walks, allowing just 2 runs on 6 hits in a total 9 innings pitched between his two rehab starts.

MN Twins rotation remains in flux

With Abel on the shelf, Derek Shelton has been forced to improvise heavily with the Minnesota Twins’ starting rotation. Mike Paredes has worked as a quasi-starter, and the Twins have routinely listed a “TBD” pitcher for their fifth spot in the rotation. He’ll go again Sunday in Phoenix against the Diamondbacks, since Abel can’t.

Minnesota is 36-41 this year, as they work to claw their way back into the American League Central and Wild Card races. To do that, they’ll need bullpen help before the deadline and better news coming out surrounding injured starters…

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