The Athletic's Dan Hayes provided an injury update on right-handers Mick Abel and David Festa . Let's just say the news is less than ideal.
Fans are absolutely devastated by the news. Granted, it isn't that surprising, considering both right-handers kept suffering setbacks this year. But it still sucks to hear.
Abel, 24, began the season with two rough outings, then threw 13 scoreless innings with 16 strikeouts over his last two MLB starts before landing on the IL on April 20 with right elbow inflammation.
Originally, Abel's injury didn't appear too serious. In early May, signs were pointing toward him returning soon. Unfortunately, he underwent a cortisone shot in his right triceps after feeling soreness following a bullpen session in early May, halting his rehab.
Finally, Abel began a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on June 10. He allowed just two hits and no walks with five strikeouts over three innings in his first rehab start. Then, he allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and no walks with five strikeouts across five innings in his second rehab appearance.
After his strong five-inning performance for Triple-A St. Paul, he was expected to rejoin the Twins for the Diamondbacks series (June 19-21).
But after a bullpen session on June 19, Abel felt renewed discomfort and was scratched . The right-hander then underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow, per MLB.com's Matthew Leach . Abel had his bone shaved, per Hayes .
Meanwhile, Festa hasn't pitched all season. The Twins placed Festa, a starting pitcher whom many beleve could be converted to a reliever, on the IL in July of last season due to right shoulder inflammation. He began a rehab assignment in late August, but the Twins stopped it after Abel suffered a compressed nerve, per Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune .
Then, Festa suffered another right shoulder injury, an impingement, during spring training, leading to him being placed on the 15-day IL to begin the 2026 season. Minnesota moved Festa to the 60-day IL on April 2. The right-hander hasn't even thrown a pitch in a minor-league game this year.
With the Twins' rotation dealing with multiple injuries this year and the team trying to limit Connor Prielipp's innings, losing Abel and Festa for the whole season is a huge blow for Minnesota.
This article was originally published on www.puckettspond.com as Twins fans devastated after unfortunate injury updates on Mick Abel, David Festa .
