The Minnesota Twins have dealt with multiple big injuries to their pitching staff, and one of the most recent setbacks in April has been the loss of young right-hander Mick Abel.

Now in his second MLB season, Abel was beginning to take a major step forward before right elbow inflammation halted his momentum. The timing was incredibly frustrating for the Twins, as the starting rotation has been inconsistent and Abel had been one of the bright spots.

Fortunately, Abel has continued to make progress in his recovery. According to manager Derek Shelton, Abel has started to play catch and “all signs have been encouraging" (h/t Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic).

Abel is likely not going to come off the injured list when first eligible, but it continues to look like a minor issue, which is encouraging considering it is a right elbow injury.

Mick Abel (elbow) update, from Derek Shelton: He's started to play catch and "all signs have been encouraging."Abel is unlikely to be ready to come off the injured list when first eligible, but the Twins continue to view it as a relatively minor issue.

The 24-year-old is expected to throw a bullpen session within the next few days and take another step, and the Twins do not anticipate he will need an extended buildup once he is cleared to pitch in games. The club has been cautious, but the tone around the injury has remained optimistic.

The setback occurred after Abel’s best outing of the season. On April 14 against the Boston Red Sox, he delivered a brilliant start, showcasing the swing-and-miss stuff that made him one of the most intriguing young arms in the organization. However, he reported discomfort afterward, and an MRI revealed inflammation in his right elbow. The Twins shut him down immediately, hoping to prevent the issue from becoming more serious.

In Abel’s absence, Connor Prielipp has stepped up impressively, making two strong starts and helping stabilize the rotation. Still, there is no question that Abel remains a key part of Minnesota’s long-term plans. The Twins acquired him at last year’s trade deadline in the deal that sent their All-Star closer to the Philadelphia Phillies, a move that signaled how highly the organization valued Abel’s upside.

Before the injury, Abel had been delivering on that promise. Across four appearances, he recorded 23 strikeouts in 20 1/3 innings with a 3.98 ERA, flashing the potential of a future frontline starter. Under team control through 2032, he remains one of the most important young pieces in the organization.

The injury is disappointing given how well he was pitching, but the Twins are relieved it is not serious, and they expect Abel to rejoin the rotation as soon as he is fully ready.