Abel pitched six innings of five-hit ball with nine strikeouts and zero earned runs in his debut May 18 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was sent back down to the minors shortly after because of the nature of the spot-start, but he returned in early June and wasn't the same pitcher.

The 23-year-old Abel made six starts for the Phillies and went 2-2 with 5.04 ERA with 21 strikeouts and nine walks.