Minnesota Twins Pitcher Mick Abel Faces Setback After Failed Bullpen Session

Minnesota Twins right-hander Mick Abel experienced a significant setback during a Friday bullpen session, forcing the team to delay his return from the injured list indefinitely. The pitcher, sidelined since April with elbow inflammation, had appeared close to rejoining the rotation after completing two rehabilitation starts in Arizona. He will now undergo an MRI once the Twins return to Minnesota, and will not pitch this week as previously anticipated.

The Road Back Derailed

Abel had seemed positioned to start Sunday's series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks before the organization received word of complications following his 20-pitch bullpen session. The setback marked another unexpected delay in a recovery process that has already extended far longer than initially expected. Abel himself acknowledged the frustration, having spoken just hours before news of the injury emerged about his desire to compete after months away from the mound.

"The reason I love this game is because I love competing. There's nothing better in the world. It's very frustrating not being able to do that, but we're at the back end now."

That optimism proved premature. The right-hander's recovery had already included one previous complication when soreness following a simulated bullpen session required a cortisone injection before he could resume throwing. Abel described recognizing immediately when something felt wrong during that episode, trusting his instincts about his body's signals.

What Looked Like a Final Step

Abel's most recent appearance came on Tuesday with Triple-A St. Paul, where he pitched five innings while allowing just one earned run and striking out five batters on only 61 pitches. He was still touching 96 miles per hour in his final inning, suggesting his arm strength had returned. The outing appeared to be the conclusive step before returning to major league action, but the subsequent bullpen session revealed otherwise.

The Twins have spent weeks managing their rotation with both Abel and Bailey Ober sidelined, making Abel's delayed return particularly impactful to the team's pitching depth and stability. The right-hander now faces another evaluation period with no announced timeline for his next competitive appearance.