Twins’ Mick Abel Set for Elbow Surgery After Injury Setback

Minnesota Twins right-hander Mick Abel is facing another hurdle in his recovery, as he has been recommended for arthroscopic elbow surgery following a recent setback. The decision came after an evaluation by orthopedic specialist Dr. Keith Meister, with the Twins announcing that Abel will undergo the minor procedure more than two months after he first landed on the injured list.

The Twins had high hopes for Abel’s return to the rotation after he successfully completed two rehab starts for Triple-A St. Paul. However, his optimism was short-lived as he reported soreness following a bullpen session, leading to his shutdown from throwing activities. The exact timetable for his return will remain uncertain until after the surgery.

Abel, who was acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies along with minor league catcher Eduardo Tait just before last season’s trade deadline in exchange for closer Jhoan Duran, has shown potential on the mound. The 24-year-old posted a 3.98 ERA in four appearances this season, impressively throwing 14 consecutive scoreless innings before being sidelined due to elbow inflammation after his start on April 14.

In the midst of these challenges, the Twins’ starting rotation has been significantly impacted by injuries. Left-hander Pablo López, an All-Star in 2023, is out for the season following elbow surgery, while right-hander Bailey Ober has been dealing with elbow inflammation and is not expected to return until after the All-Star break. The team’s pitching depth continues to be tested as they navigate this difficult stretch.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.