Tonight will be big test for Twins starter acquired from Phillies in Jhoan Duran trade

Twins right-handed starting pitcher Mick Abel had an absolutely dominant spring training, posting a 2.05 ERA with 27 strikeouts and four walks across 22 innings. Because of his strong spring, Abel made the Twins' Opening Day roster over right-handed pitcher Zebby Matthews, who was the presumed favorite to earn the final spot in the rotation after right-handed starting pitcher Pablo López suffered a season-ending UCL tear.

During spring training, Abel used his high-90s four-seam fastball to induce most of his strikeouts. He also used a changeup, a slider, a curveball and a sweeper to strike out opposing batters. Not to mention, the former Phillie also has a cutter in his pitch arsenal.

Although Abel had a strong spring training, the righty struggled significantly during his limited big-league action with Minnesota last year, allowing 13 runs on 18 hits and seven walks across 14 innings. However, he ended the season on a good note, hurling six scoreless innings with nine strikeouts against his former team in Philadelphia on Sept. 27. His last start of 2025, paired with his strong spring, created plenty of hype around the 24-year-old.

Unfortunately, Abel's first outing of the 2026 regular season didn't go as he would've hoped. After Bailey Ober allowed three earned runs on four hits and one walk with one strikeout against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday, Abel entered the game in relief. Since the Twins had two off days early in the season, the team decided to use Abel as a reliever before giving him his turn in the rotation.

At Camden Yards in Baltimore on Sunday, Abel allowed five runs on eight hits and four walks with four strikeouts, throwing 81 pitches over 3 1/3 innings as the Twins lost to the Orioles 8-6.

Twins' Mick Abel faces big test tonight vs. Rays after rough outing on Sunday

While Sunday's outcome wasn't ideal for Abel, there are reasons to believe he'll bounce back when he makes his first start of the season against the Tampa Bay Rays at Target Field tonight.

As stated earlier, Abel looked great during spring training. Also, the former Phillie never made a relief appearance in the minors, and his relief appearance on Sunday marked the third of his MLB career, with his first two being with Minnesota last season. Entering a game out of the bullpen is quite different from starting a game. Abel may just need a starter routine to be successful.

And while Abel's results on Sunday were poor, his pitches still looked nasty.

Tonight will be a big test for Abel. If he can pitch to the best of his abilities, he'll have a dominant outing. But if he struggles as he did on Sunday, and those struggles continue through his next few starts, he could find himself back in Triple-A St. Paul soon.

The Twins' game tonight against the Rays is scheduled to begin at 6:10 CST. Lefty Steven Matz is slated to make the start for Tampa Bay.