Mar 21, 2026
3 min read
The Twins made their Opening Day roster plans clear by selecting the Triple-A righty St.Louis. Paul.
Twins clear Opening Day rotation plans by claiming right to Triple-A St.Paul
After the Twins selected JB Matthews, Mick Abel is pretty much guaranteed to earn a rotation spot
The Minnesota Twins Opening Day rotation is set in stone.During Twins.TV's broadcast of Friday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays, it was announced that right-handed starting pitcher Zebby Matthews had been optioned to Triple-A St. Paul, making it clear that Mick Abel will be in the rotation to start the season. Cory Provus and Glen Perkins interviewed Abel in the third inning, and Abel confirmed that he is on the Opening Day roster.
Entering spring training, Abel, who the Twins acquired along with Eduard Tate from the Phillies last summer for Jovan Duran, is unlikely to make the Opening Day roster.Abel was still part of the Twins' future plans, but the rotation appeared to be packed to begin the season on the 26-man roster.
Abel's opening day rotation prospects increased after news broke that Pablo Lipez would miss the entire season with a torn UCL, but most expected Abel to miss the opening day roster cut, and the rotation included Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Taj Bradley, Simon Woods Richardson and Matthews.
Abel outscored Matthews this spring, so the former Phillie will be part of the major league rotation to begin the 2026 campaign.In 18 innings over five starts this spring, Abel allowed just four runs on 12 hits and three walks and struck out 23.Abel's four-pitch fastball hit 98 mph this spring and accounted for the majority of his strikeouts.He also used his changeup, slider, sweeper and curveball to get some hits.
Abel has struggled in the big leagues during his young career, but he finally seems to be reaching his full potential.Although it's spring training, he's finding success against many established big leaguers.
As for Matthews, the righty hasn't been great this spring, giving up nine runs (seven earned) on 12 hits and four walks with nine strikeouts in 11 innings over three outs.While Matthews probably entered camp with a better shot to make the Opening Day roster than Abel, Abel proved he deserved the final spot.
Matthews will be the next player in the starting lineup in case of injury.The Twins still hope he can become a big league starter because he has poor pitching and has shown flashes of success in the big leagues.However, he has generally struggled in the majors.He could follow the path of Louis Verland and Griffin Jacks as a reliever in the near future.
This article was originally published on www.puckettspond.com when the Twins clarified opening day rotation plans by choosing Triple-A St. Paul outright.
