Mick Abel’s Season Hits Another Roadblock as Twins Righty Heads for Elbow Surgery

The Minnesota Twins received more disappointing pitching news on Wednesday when the club announced that right-hander Mick Abel will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his injured right elbow.

For a Twins team already navigating a rotation battered by injuries, Abel's latest setback adds another layer of uncertainty to a pitching staff that has spent much of the season trying to patch together innings.

The good news is that Abel's ulnar collateral ligament remains intact. This is not a Tommy John surgery situation, nor does it appear that an internal brace procedure is necessary. Instead, the operation is being recommended to address recurring discomfort that repeatedly halted his rehabilitation process. Unfortunately, that discomfort proved impossible to shake.

A Promising Start Cut Short

When the Twins acquired Abel along with catching prospect Eduardo Tait from the Phillies as part of last summer's Jhoan Duran trade, they were betting on upside.

The former first-round pick arrived with plenty of prospect pedigree but also questions after an inconsistent start to his professional career. While his rookie season in Minnesota featured some growing pains, there were legitimate reasons for optimism entering 2026.

Abel was one of the organization's standout performers during Spring Training. His fastball showed more life, his secondary pitches generated more swing-and-miss, and he looked poised to finally establish himself as a long-term rotation piece.

That momentum carried into the regular season. Over his first 20 1/3 innings, Abel struck out 23 batters and flashed the type of stuff that once made him one of baseball's most highly regarded pitching prospects. Command remained a work in progress, but hitters were expanding the zone more frequently and struggling to square him up consistently.

For the first time, it looked like the Twins were beginning to see the version of Abel they envisioned when they made the trade. Then came the elbow inflammation.

Rehab Progress Followed by More Frustration

Abel landed on the injured list in April after experiencing discomfort in his elbow. Initially, the injury didn't appear overly concerning, and the organization remained optimistic about a relatively quick return.

Twice during his recovery process, Abel appeared to be nearing a return to game action. Twice, the elbow had other plans. Most recently, the right-hander was tentatively lined up to start Sunday's game in Arizona. That possibility disappeared after a bullpen session on Friday led to renewed discomfort the following day, forcing the Twins to scratch him before he could take the next step in his progression.

Subsequent imaging provided some encouraging news. An MRI revealed no damage to either the UCL or the flexor tendon, two structures that often lead to season-ending surgeries for pitchers. Still, the recurring nature of the discomfort prompted consultation with renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister, who ultimately recommended arthroscopic surgery to address the issue.

Specific details regarding the procedure have not yet been released. Arthroscopic elbow surgeries can involve removing loose bodies, cleaning up bone spurs, or addressing other sources of irritation within the joint. A return timeline won’t be established until following the surgery. 

The Twins currently have an open spot on their 40-man roster after designating Austin Voth for assignment earlier this week. Once that vacancy is filled, Abel could become a candidate to be transferred to the 60-day injured list, creating additional roster flexibility.

For now, the focus shifts to surgery and recovery. The organization can take some comfort in knowing that Abel avoided the worst-case scenario. An intact UCL leaves the door open for a return later this season and should preserve his long-term outlook.

Still, after a spring that hinted at a breakout and an April that showcased some of the best pitching of his professional career, Abel's season has become another reminder of how quickly pitching development can be derailed by health concerns.