As spring training advances in Minnesota, concern is growing around Bailey Ober’s delayed preparation for the regular season. Unlike the usual progression where pitchers move quickly from bullpen sessions to facing live batters and gradually increase their innings, Ober’s ramp-up has been slower due to mechanical adjustments following a hip injury in 2025. This gradual approach has led to doubts about his availability for Opening Day on March 26, despite the Twins’ full confidence in his eventual readiness.
Ober’s Focus on Refining Delivery Before Game Action
Ober spent considerable time over the winter addressing issues with his pitching motion that worsened while managing a left hip injury last season. After feeling his mechanics slipping during early spring throwing sessions, he chose to take additional bullpen and live batting practice sessions instead of rushing into Grapefruit League games. On a recent live batting practice outing, Ober described his performance positively:
“It always feels good to be out there, especially when you’re building up. Two innings, 40, 45 pitches, felt really good. Got swings and misses in both innings that I threw. For the most part, threw strikes. I think one at-bat got away from me. … I feel like my body was moving pretty well on my own, and I was moving fast.”
Extra Time Taken To Regain Mechanical Consistency
The deliberate choice to slow his progression stems from Ober’s awareness that rushing might worsen his control or lead to injury.
“The last couple of weeks, [I] hadn’t been feeling as sharp as I wanted to,”
Ober admitted.
“Some stuff was getting away from what I was working on this offseason. But I’m feeling healthy, and I think this past week I was able to get back to … how I want to feel on the mound mechanically. So just giving me a little bit extra time to really dial that in, because I spent so much of this offseason just grinding.”
Ober explained the mental frustration accompanying his mechanical setbacks:
“It’s just baseball. Yes, it is crazy frustrating, especially when you had it in camp and you’re throwing 90-mile-an-hour bullpens in the first week in January, and then you get here and you’re like, where the f***’s is my s***? Like, where is it? And then, so being able to kind of diagnose, sit back, get a little extra time these guys allow me to get things right, and go out today and throw, and I felt really good, and feel like it’s a good stepping stone going into my next outing.”
Next Steps and Team Confidence in Ober’s Readiness
Ober is slated to make his first game appearance of spring training Friday night at home against the Atlanta Braves, marking a significant step in his workload buildup. Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll emphasized the importance of Ober’s approach:
“He’s trying to do everything he can to be as efficient in his delivery as possible. The more efficient you are, the better your stuff plays. It’s an opportunity to iron those things out early. He’s trying to take advantage of that early, especially with camp starting earlier. We’ll let him have that time now instead of down the road.”
Zoll also stressed that there is no concern over Ober’s health or availability:
“There’s still plenty of time. We’re not worried about that. He’s had multiple ups and different things. Not worried about his availability.”
Rotation Impact and Depth Concerns for Minnesota Twins
The uncertainty surrounding Ober’s timeline is especially significant given recent setbacks to Minnesota’s starting rotation. Pablo López is sidelined for the entire season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and David Festa has been sidelined for several weeks due to a shoulder injury. If Ober is not ready for Opening Day, Mick Abel is the likely replacement, but that would deplete the experienced options available in Triple-A for depth. The Twins face a precarious situation with limited veteran pitchers to rely on if early-season injuries occur.
Balancing Early Setbacks With Long-Term Stability
While Ober’s slower spring raises the possibility he might not be at peak form on Opening Day, the Twins are betting that his methodical approach to fixing his mechanics now will pay off later. They appear willing to accept a delay in innings this March rather than risk ongoing mechanical issues in May. This strategy highlights the club’s prioritization of Ober’s long-term effectiveness over short-term availability, aiming to maximize his consistency and performance once the regular season begins.
