Abel is expected to open the 2022 season at High-A, according to Baseball America.

EDGE Analysis

Last year was a mixed bag for the 2020 Draft's No. 15 pick, as he put up a modest 4.43 ERA and 1.22 WHIP for Low-A Clearwater before being shut down with shoulder tendinitis, but he also struck out an impressive 66 batters in 44.2 innings. This season will be about refining his control and building up his innings count, so don't expect to see Abel in the big leagues quite yet, but he has one of the highest-upside arms in the minors.

Abel is battling shoulder tendinitis and may not pitch again until the instructional league, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Abel hasn't pitched in over a month, and while he's reportedly feeling better, the Phillies have little reason to rush their 2020 first-rounder. He's had mixed results in his first professional season, striking out an impressive 34.9 percent of opposing batters in 14 starts for Low-A Clearwater but also issuing walks at a 14.3 percent clip, leading to a 4.43 ERA.

Abel, who exited his July 15 start for Low-A Clearwater with an unspecified injury, was cleared to make his most recent turn through the rotation Wednesday against Tampa. He worked 3.1 innings and gave up four runs on three hits and five walks while striking out three during the 79-pitch outing.

EDGE Analysis

While Abel's results Wednesday were less than stellar, the healthy pitch count suggests that whatever issue forced him out of the July 15 outing wasn't a major concern. Over his 14 starts on the season with Clearwater, Abel owns a 4.43 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 66:27 K:BB across 44.2 innings.

Abel was pulled in the fourth inning of his start Thursday for Low-A Clearwater with an apparent injury, Jim Peyton of PhuturePhillies.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The young righty had been cruising through three shutout innings with five strikeouts and five baserunners allowed, but after hitting his second batter of the night, he was visited on the mound by a trainer and coach and was pulled from the contest after 68 pitches. Abel didn't appear to be favoring his shoulder or arm, with Peyton speculating that the 19-year-old may have instead experienced some back spasms. Abel will likely be evaluated over the next few days before the Phillies determine whether he's fit to make his next start with Clearwater.