The Minnesota Twins got tough news today: Pablo López, their right-handed pitcher, has a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. General manager Jeremy Zoll shared this with reporters, saying López will seek a second opinion. Unfortunately, he may need season-ending surgery.
López first felt discomfort after a bullpen session. Initially, the team thought it was a minor issue, but now it’s serious. Most UCL tears require surgery, either an internal brace or a full “Tommy John” procedure, which would keep him off the field for the entire season.
Last year, López struggled with injuries, missing much of the 2025 season. He only pitched in 14 games due to a Grade 2 strain in his teres major muscle, and later a forearm strain. But when he was healthy, he shone, ending the season with a solid 2.74 ERA.
Earlier, former president of baseball operations Derek Falvey mentioned that López could have continued pitching with a mild forearm strain if the team was in a playoff race. Now, as he nears his 30th birthday, this fresh injury is a blow. It seems this might be a new issue that arose during training camp.
López’s absence hits hard as the Twins’ rotation looks thin. Although they have promising young pitchers, they haven’t yet proven themselves in the big leagues. With López out, Joe Ryan is now set to be the Opening Day starter, joined by Bailey Ober and Simeon Woods Richardson—both looking to make a strong comeback.
The Twins do have some potential stars waiting in the wings. David Festa, Zebby Matthews, Taj Bradley, and Mick Abel are all top-100 prospects who could step up. Connor Prielipp is also considered a rising star. They might not fill López’s shoes entirely, but they could add valuable depth to the rotation.
López’s track record speaks for itself. Over his last 141 starts, he has a 3.61 ERA and an impressive strikeout rate of 26%. He finished seventh in AL Cy Young voting last season, showing he has the potential to be a dominant pitcher.
The Twins signed López to a four-year, $73.5 million extension, making him the highest-paid player on the team. His contract runs through the 2027 season. Despite trading many players last year, the team has made some notable signings this offseason, like Josh Bell and Taylor Rogers.
New executive chair Tom Pohlad has expressed interest in increasing the team’s payroll. He recently revealed the Twins pursued pitcher Framber Valdez but were outbid by the Tigers. While it’s uncertain if they’ll make any more moves, several pitchers are still available, including Lucas Giolito.
López’s injury is a challenge, but the Twins have options to explore. If they can stay competitive early in the season, they might consider trade opportunities as the deadline approaches. Keeping an eye on their standings will be crucial as they navigate this tough situation.
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