Abel opted to go under the knife after receiving a second opinion on his elbow, which he re-injured during a bullpen session Friday. He remains without a return timeline, though the Twins will likely have a better idea of when he could rejoin the rotation after his procedure.

Ober got back on a mound Saturday for the first time since landing on the injured list May 31, completing a 25-pitch bullpen session that apparently went off without a hitch. The right-hander is working his way back from a mild flexor strain and will still need to face hitters in live batting practice before the Twins send him out on a rehab assignment. Ober remains without a definitive timeline for a return, but he could have a chance at rejoining the Minnesota rotation during the final week before the All-Star break if he steers clear of any setbacks or delays in his throwing progression.

Jeffers appears to be making good progress in his recovery from left hand surgery, but he'll still need to resume facing live pitching in batting practice before the Twins map out a rehab assignment for the 29-year-old catcher. While Jeffers has been on the shelf, Victor Caratini has stepped in admirably as the Twins' No. 1 catcher, producing a .906 OPS since Jeffers was deactivated May 19.

While the activity marks a step forward for Acton as he recovers from a right shoulder strain, Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll said Friday that the 28-year-old still has "a long road ahead of him" before returning from the 60-day injured list. Acton made four relief appearances for Minnesota and surrendered five runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out nine batters over 6.2 innings before landing on the IL on April 28.

Culpepper had seemed close to getting a promotion to the big leagues, but that will have to wait now that he's been shelved. The 23-year-old has put up a .273/.377/.498 batting line with 14 home runs and 15 steals over 61 games with St. Paul this season.

The Twins placed Sands on the 15-day injured list May 2 due to what the team described as a mild right forearm strain, resulting in being shut down from throwing for a couple of weeks. He made enough progress to begin a minor-league rehab assignment June 2, only to be returned to Minnesota after his forearm bothered him during his lone appearance with Triple-A St. Paul. While Sands appears to have avoided any sort of major setback, but the Twins will once again have him pause his throwing program to allow the inflammation to dissipate. He now appears unlikely to return from the IL until at least early July.

The Twins haven't ruled Olivar out for the season, but he'll be on the shelf through at least the end of July while he recovers from the knee injury. After posting a .978 OPS at Double-A Wichita to begin the campaign, Olivar was promoted to Triple-A on May 20 and had slashed .259/.259/.556 with two home runs, two doubles and one stolen base in seven games for St. Paul before spraining his knee.

Festa is expected to gradually increase his throwing distance off flat ground before advancing to mound work, perhaps at some point in the third or fourth week of June. Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll previously said in mid-May that Festa wasn't expected to return from the 60-day injured list until after the All-Star break, and that timeline would still appear to be accurate. Once Festa completes a series of bullpen sessions, he'll then need to face live hitters before heading out on an extended minor-league rehab assignment. The 26-year-old has been on the shelf all season after he was diagnosed with a right shoulder impingement early in spring training.

Lopez underwent an internal brace procedure Wednesday — rather than a full Tommy John surgery — to shorten his recovery process, but he will still be forced to miss the entire 2026 season. His move to the 60-day IL will create a spot on the 40-man roster for Zak Kent, who was claimed off waivers from the Cardinals on Thursday.

Merryweather has been shelved since spring training with a left hamstring strain, but he's finally ready for game action. The veteran reliever is signed to a minor-league contract with the Twins and will eventually move up to Triple-A St. Paul.

The right-hander underwent shoulder surgery last March and continues to work through his recovery. Canterino hasn't seen game action at any level since 2022 due to the recurring shoulder problems, but he showcased his upside at the Double-A level that year with a 1.83 ERA and 13.2 K/9 over 34.1 innings.