McLean Abel: Everything you need to know

The Twins placed Abel on the 15-day injured list Monday with right elbow inflammation. Abel is coming off the best start of his young career, having struck out a career-high 10 batters across seven shutout innings against the Red Sox. He had been slated for a two-start week but instead will be shelved for at least the next two weeks and, given the nature of the injury, probably longer. The Twins are expected to call up Kendry Rojas and also add Connor Prielipp to their taxi squad. One of those two lefties will likely slide into the rotation in Abel's place.

Abel (1-2) earned the win Tuesday against the Red Sox, allowing no runs on four hits while striking out 10 over seven innings. Abel turned in the best start of his young career, tossing seven scoreless innings while setting a new career high in strikeouts with 10. The right-hander was overpowering throughout, including a stretch during which he struck out five consecutive batters. After a rocky start to the season, Abel has looked dominant over his last two outings, combining for 16 strikeouts and no runs allowed across 13 innings. The 24-year-old has now lowered his season ERA to 3.98 with a 1.57 WHIP and 23:10 K:BB across 20.1 innings and will look to stay hot in his next scheduled start against a Mets lineup that has gotten off to a sluggish start offensively.

Abel didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Tigers, allowing four hits and three walks with six strikeouts across six shutout innings. Abel left with a 1-0 lead, but the Tigers were able to push a run across the plate in the seventh inning to spoil Abel's potential first win of the season. It was easily Abel's best game to date after he hemorrhaged nine runs on 14 hits and seven walks across his first 7.1 innings of the 2026 campaign. Abel will carry a 6.08 ERA and 13:10 K:BB into his next start Tuesday at home against the Red Sox.