Mick Abel looks ready for the next step after a sharp second Triple-A rehab start

Even with the Twins turning in one of their best nights of the season in a 12-2 win against the Rangers in Arlington, the organization also got a separate positive update from about 850 miles north. Mick Abel, a right-hander rehabbing with Triple-A St. Paul, made his second rehab start and delivered an outing that looked close to major-league ready.

According to the Twins’ official game report, Abel worked five innings for St. Paul on 61 pitches. He allowed two runs, with one run charged as earned, and gave up four hits during the stretch. He struck out five batters and finished with zero walks, a combination that suggested command and efficiency rather than just survival innings.

That “shape” matters in a rehab assignment because teams generally want more than an early checkpoint. Tight pitch counts and limited free passes help the coaching staff evaluate how a pitcher repeats his delivery and controls hitters when the workload increases. Abel’s line, with no walks and steady strikeout production, fit that evaluation goal.

The performance also positions the next part of the recovery plan around baseball realities, not calendar expectations. A second strong outing in Triple-A rehab work often leads to an even more specific look ahead, such as an additional rehab appearance or a jump to the major league club if the medical and performance checks align.

For Minnesota, the timing lines up with a season in which rotation depth can swing quickly. While this report does not spell out a return date or any health details, a pitcher who can throw five innings on a controlled pitch total gives the Twins a clearer option set for the coming days, whether that means stretching his workload again or moving him into the next stage of the process.

St. Paul’s involvement is part of the standard bridge back to the majors. Triple-A rehab starts allow a prospect or returning veteran to face more experienced professional hitters than they would in lower-level games, while still letting the organization closely monitor effort, pitch sequencing, and how the pitcher responds as he accumulates innings.