Twins right-hander Mick Abel will go for arthroscopic surgery on his throwing elbow, the team announced (link via Matthew Leach of MLB.com). The team will announce the recovery timeline after the operation is complete.
Abel’s UCL is intact. This isn’t as damaging as if he’d required an internal brace or Tommy John procedure. Specifics on the upcoming surgery aren’t clear, but an arthroscopic operation can be to remove loose bodies or clean up the bone. There’s no indication this will prevent Abel from returning this season, but he’ll certainly be down beyond the All-Star Break.
The 24-year-old Abel came over from the Phillies in last summer’s Jhoan Duran trade. He struggled as a rookie but showed some early signs for encouragement this year. Abel had a dominant Spring Training and struck out 23 batters in his first 20 1/3 regular season frames. He still had some issues throwing strikes but was getting hitters to expand the zone a little more and missing a few more bats.
Abel and Taj Bradley were two of the biggest pieces in Minnesota’s 2025 deadline return, former top prospects whom the Twins hoped could quickly step into the rotation. They’ve both shown flashes of upside, but Bradley’s performance has been inconsistent and Abel has been out since the middle of April. The Twins are also without Bailey Ober and David Festa after losing Pablo López for the season.
Minnesota already has an opening on the 40-man roster after designating Austin Voth for assignment this morning. They could open another by transferring Abel to the 60-day injured list once they fill the current vacancy.
