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MN Twins Promising Young Starter Going on IL
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- MN Twins Promising Young Starter Going on IL
Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
On Sunday night the Minnesota Twins had some substantial moves begin to percolate regarding their pitching staff. After Andrew Morris imploded against the Cincinnati Reds , both Kendry Rojas and Connor Prielipp's names were reported as being in line for promotions .
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It was confirmed that Rojas would be taking the spot of Kody Funderburk while he departs for the paternity list. Prielipp's inclusion on the 26-man roster was more of a question as reports suggested he was just joining the Twins taxi squad.
By Monday morning the news hit, and the rotation took a significant blow. Mick Abel has landed on the injured list.
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Mick Abel lands on injured list for Minnesota Twins
Thanks to a strong spring training ( 22.0 IP 5 R 4 BB 27 K) Abel beat out Zebby Matthews for the MN Twins final rotation spot. He carried on plenty of that impressive performance to start the year, but now just four games in, it's red alert with Abel landing on the injured list.
We have made the following roster move: pic.twitter.com/CDHVONivlv
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) April 20, 2026
Elbow inflammation is quite a scary diagnosis for Abel. Often it represents a precursor for a long-term absence and can be followed by surgery. What exactly Abel is dealing with will be on the MN Twins to disseminate in the coming days.
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Through his first four outings this season, Abel owns a 3.98 ERA (2.78 FIP) with a 23/10 K/BB through 20 1/3 innings. He piggybacked against the Baltimore Orioles to start the season, but then allowed just four runs in his last 17 innings . Abel has been dominant in his last two outings going 13 scoreless with a 16/3 K/BB.
Not only is it unfortunate to lose Abel with Pablo Lopez out for the year and David Festa still hurt , but he was coming off the best start of his career ( 7.0 IP 4 H 0 R 0 BB 10 K). Where the elbow issue popped up is uncertain, but now the Twins will have to piece things together moving forward.
MN Twins rotation has an opening
With Abel vacating a rotation spot, Derek Shelton will need a new arm to make at least three turns. With Connor Prielipp on the taxi squad, it's possible he is inserted into the group.
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The top-100 prospect would be making his major league debut and has just 36 2/3 innings at Triple-A. He has dealt with injuries for years, and has pitched only 156 1/3 innings since graduating high school in 2019.
Connor Prielipp set a new professional career high in strikeouts last night in the @StPaulSaints win ⚔️
5 IP / 4 H / 1 R / 1 BB / 8 K
The LHP now has a 2.30 ERA and 2.96 FIP across 4 outings this season 📈 #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/fveRGCYoap— Twins Player Development (@TwinsPlayerDev) April 17, 2026
This season for the Saints, Prielipp owns a 2.30 ERA across 15 2/3 innings . He has a 22/8 K/BB and has allowed 11 hits. A lefty, Prielipp throws 94.8 mph with his fastball , and pairs it with a sinker, curveball, slider, and changeup.
Kendry Rojas is also a starter, but is being used in relief to replace Funderburk. It's possible that Andrew Morris could move from the bullpen into the rotation as well. In two appearances, Morris has allowed four runs on nine hits across 4 1/3 innings.
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