The Twins closed the book on two rotation arms Sunday. General manager Jeremy Zoll told reporters, including Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, that Mick Abel is unlikely to pitch again this season following his July 1 arthroscopic elbow surgery, and that David Festa’s shoulder trouble will keep him out for all of 2026.
Abel’s timeline is a matter of arithmetic. His first post-surgery checkup is scheduled for the last week of August, and even a clean evaluation would leave too little season for a throwing progression and rehab outings. He finishes his year at a 3.98 ERA over 20 1/3 innings — a rough first outing, then 13 consecutive shutout frames over his final two starts before the elbow flared. For a 24-year-old acquired from Philadelphia in last summer’s Jhoan Duran deal, those two starts remain the argument for what he could be in 2027; the elbow is the caveat attached to it.
Festa’s situation is murkier and more concerning. He never appeared in a game this year after developing a shoulder impingement in spring training, and Zoll said a recurrence of symptoms has the club considering whether thoracic outlet syndrome is involved — a possibility Festa also faced late last season. He is set to visit a specialist this week.
The practical effect lands on the deadline. Minnesota’s rotation is down to Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Taj Bradley and Zebby Matthews, with Connor Prielipp on a rehab assignment as the likeliest fifth. The front office said at the break it wants to buy, with the bullpen as the priority — but Sunday’s news makes rotation depth a harder need to ignore, at the same time rival scouts are watching Minnesota’s own pitching. At 49-51 and two back of the third wild card, the Twins have two weeks to decide which direction that pressure resolves.
For fantasy managers, Abel and Festa can be dropped in all but the deepest keeper formats — Abel retains 2027 dynasty value as a former top prospect with a healthy elbow scan pending. The name to watch is Prielipp, who would have standard-league streamer appeal if he claims the fifth spot outright.
