Mick Abel was in Syracuse with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs when he got the word that he was headed to the majors for the first time in his career. There was a catch that came with the promotion though. Before he even left Syracuse for Philadelphia, Abel had a Zoom call with Phillies manager Rob Thomson who told him that good, bad, or indifferent, he was going to be with the team for one start and one start only. It turned out that the start definitely fell into the good category and that Thomson was true to his word as Abel was optioned back to Lehigh Valley immediately after the game.

The 22-year-0ld threw six shutout innings against Pittsburgh, striking out nine batters along the way. Granted, the Pirates offense is rated last in major league baseball, but to throw six shutout innings against any major league team in a career debut is impressive. These days just throwing six innings for any major leaguer is impressive.

Abel’s opportunity came about because of a right ankle injury sustained by Aaron Nola, who was placed on the IL. Taijuan Walker will return to the rotation during Nola’s absence and Abel will pitch Saturday for the IronPigs against Buffalo at Lehigh Valley.

The opportunity at least allowed Abel to work out some nerves for later when a promotion to the majors may last a little longer than one game. At Lehigh Valley this season Abel is 5-2, 2.53 in eight starts, an impressive jump over his 2024 numbers with Lehigh Valley when he went 3-12, 6.46 in 24 starts at Triple-A. The one day promotion to Philadelphia was somewhat of a reward for Abel turning around his fortunes.

“There were times [last season] where I didn’t think I would be [up with the Phillies], but there were other times where I would,” Abel told reporters following his debut. “I think it’s just going through the ups and downs and trying to understand how to go through those. Thankfully I was able to think about it in the offseason and understand ‘Yeah, I’m still pretty good at baseball.'”

Walker opened the season in the rotation while Ranger Suarez was on the IL and made six starts with a 1-3 record and a 2.54 ERA. Since moving to the bullpen, Walker has posted a 3.00 ERA in two relief appearances, both of which were three innings long. In his first relief outing, Walker recorded the first save of his career with three shutout innings. allowing one hit and striking out seven.