Twins starting pitcher Bailey Ober has a reason for his recent elbow injury.
Ober, who was recently placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation, blamed his injury on slick baseballs used during a rainy game at Fenway Park on May 24.
The righty told reporters that the balls used during the Twins’ 6-5 win over the Red Sox were the worst he’s rubbed during his six-year career. He also said they led to grip issues throughout his five innings pitched, in which he allowed four runs on seven hits.
“The only way to be able to throw slick baseballs is to grip them harder, so you can execute your pitches,” Ober said, according to the Star Tribune. “If not, you’re not going to know where the ball is going, especially with breaking pitches.”
Ober made one more start against the Pirates on Saturday, but surrendered a season-high eight runs before landing on the injured list.
The Twins pitcher said his arm felt better during the week between his final two starts, but the injury popped up again in the second inning against Pittsburgh.
Ober, 30, is expected to be sidelined for roughly a month while recovering from the injury, adding that he and Twins athletic trainer Nick Paparesta have had conversations since his issues started.
“We both kind of came to the conclusion, and other people said, ‘Well, you probably did this in Boston,’” Ober said.
Before going on the IL, Ober held a 6-3 record with a 4.59 ERA through 12 starts. Despite having a strong April, he allowed 20 runs in 28.2 innings in May.
Ober is still looking to recapture his 2022 form, in which he pitched to a 3.21 ERA, but his mark steadily increased to 5.10 last season.
The Twins are currently 29-34 and third in the AL Central, behind the White Sox and Guardians.
