Minnesota Twins SP Mick Abel nearing return from IL stint
Right-handed starting pitcher Mick Abel, whom the Twins placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation on April 20 (retroactive to April 17), has played catch multiple times recently. SKOR North's Declan Goff reported on Tuesday that the next step for Abel is a bullpen, and if that goes well, a rehab assignment will likely follow.
Mick Abel played catch again today and feels good and isn't experiencing any discomfort. The next step is a bullpen in the coming days. If that continues to go well, potentially a rehab assignment. #MNTwins
— Declan Goff (@DexsTweets) April 28, 2026
Abel struggled in his first two outings of the year, surrendering nine earned runs across 7 1/3 innings, before hurling 13 scoreless innings with 16 strikeouts across his last two outings. Abel made his first appearance of the year as a reliever, a role the former Phillie isn't used to. Additionally, he made his second outing with a 24-degree wind chill. Once the weather warmed up a bit, he absolutely dominated opposing batters.
Simeon Woods Richardson may be converted to reliever when Abel is reinstated
Once Abel returns, the Twins will likely either option lefty Connor Prielipp, Minnesota's top pitching prospect, to Triple-A St. Paul or move righty Simeon Woods Richardson to the bullpen. Prielipp has looked great since replacing Abel in Minnesota's rotation, posting a 4.00 ERA (1.67 FIP) with 11 strikeouts in nine innings over two starts. Meanwhile, Woods Richardson, who is out of minor-league options, has an awful 6.30 ERA with a 15.4% strikeout rate and 9.6% walk rate in 30 innings over six starts this season.
Despite Woods Richardson being an overall solid No. 5 starter the last two seasons, Minnesota's rotation would likely be better in the long run with Prielipp. Moving Woods Richardson to a relief role could also improve Minnesota's struggling bullpen, which ranks 26th out of all 30 MLB teams in ERA (5.15).
Another option for Minnesota when Abel returns is to roll with a six-man rotation. Doing so would give Prielipp more rest, which is likely needed, considering his 82 2/3 innings last year were the most he has pitched in a season in his professional and collegiate career. A second-round pick out of the University of Alabama in 2022, Prielipp pitched just 28 innings in college due to injuries. He threw just 6 2/3 innings in 2023 and 23 1/3 innings in 2024. The Twins have obviously been cautious with Prielipp since he's earned the promotion to the majors, as he threw fewer than 90 pitches in each of his two starts.
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