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Young MN Twins Starter Nearing Return… and Throwing Gas
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- Young MN Twins Starter Nearing Return… and Throwing Gas
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
If you are a Minnesota Twins fan who feels like they've been riding a repetitive rollercoaster this season that probably ends in death, it's because it might be true.
After a slow 3-6 start to the 2026 season, the Twins rebounded nicely, winning eight of their next nine games, quietly raising their record to 11-7, and even momentarily taking a lead in the AL Central.
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Unfortunately, a 3-13 stretch in late April quickly brought them back down to earth (14-20). Then, they got hot again — winning 11 of 15 games from May 9-26 — a streak that pulled the them back within one game of .500, at 27-28.
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Josh Bell 2 RBIs and a double!! pic.twitter.com/l4yYPD6zwQ
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) May 30, 2026
But since… it's gotten ugly again. Mostly thanks to injuries, the Twins have lost seven of nine games, a skid that has has pulled their regular season record six games below .500, at 29-35 .
And now, Minnesota's playoff hopes feel like they are on the verge of collapse, leaving all of us to wonder whether or not this ride will ever swing back up again…
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Mick Abel on the verge of returning to Minnesota Twins rotation
You know what could help, though? The return of young flamethrower, Mick Abel, who's been on the injured list since April 20, after experiencing inflammation in his right elbow.
The situation got even more concerning when Abel had to receive a cortisone injection and shut things down, after a bullpen session went south while ramping up for a return back in early May.
But on Thursday, Dan Hayes (The Athletic) was at Target Field to watch the 24-year-old throw two innings of live batting practice at Target Field where he reported that Abel has hitting 97 MPH on the radar gun with relative ease.
Scenes from Mick Abel's live bullpen earlier this afternoon. #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/lUbudyBwgU
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) June 4, 2026
Mick Abel took a big step in [the right] direction Thursday afternoon when he threw a two-inning live batting practice at Target Field. In the clearest sign of progress yet, Abel, who went on the injured list April 20 with right elbow inflammation, touched 97 mph on the radar gun during a 37-pitch effort.
Though his return date to a big-league mound is still unclear, Abel, who hasn't pitched since April 14, is nearer than farther. If he feels good on Friday, Abel will either take part in another live BP next week or perhaps pitch in a minor-league game.
Prior to hitting the injured list, Mick Abel looked like one of the Twins best pitchers. And that velocity is a big part of it. And if his live BP session is any indication of what's to come when he returns, it's possible the former first round draft pick could be even better than when he left the rotation.
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Before injury, Mick Abel was averaging"just" 94.8 mph on his fastball this season . Last year, he posted a 96.4 mph average on that same pitch. There's no doubt Abel is encouraged by his session Thursday.
"Free and easy. Just being able to have hitters in the box again, it feels really, really good, and really nice. The body feels great, too, so I can't complain."
Minnesota Twins badly need Mick Abel back
Since May 1, the Minnesota Twins starting rotation owns a 5.32 ERA( 27th in baseball ). Their 155 2/3 innings ranks 19th during that stretch, suggesting they aren't going deep enough for a faulty bullpen either.
After beating out Zebby Matthews during Spring Training, Abel posted a 3.98 ERA (2.76 FIP) with a 23/10 K/BB, in four appearances (20.1 IP) before going on the IL.
Mick Abel, K'ing the Side in the 2nd. pic.twitter.com/b3ijkMHeFN
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 15, 2026
Like Abel, 23-year-old Kendry Rojas is working his way back as well. Shelton told Hayes that the young lefty has begun throwing, and that puts him on pace to work back into the group as well. The acquisition from Toronto was scratched before his last outing, and carries a 1.26 ERA (3.45 FIP)across 14 1/3 innings this year.
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