Minnesota Twins' prominent right-handed pitcher, Pablo Lopez, will be sidelined for the entirety of the upcoming 2026 Major League Baseball season. This unfortunate development stems from his scheduled Tommy John surgery next week, as officially announced by the team. This procedure, aimed at repairing the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow, marks a significant blow to both Lopez's career and the Twins' pitching rotation. The surgery will take place in Dallas, highlighting a challenging road to recovery for the experienced hurler.
This impending operation is not Lopez's first encounter with Tommy John surgery; he previously underwent the same procedure in 2013, early in his professional baseball journey while with the Seattle Mariners organization. The recurrence of this significant injury raises questions about the long-term impact on his career, especially as he approaches his 30th birthday on March 7. The Twins organization expressed their support for their star pitcher, posting a message on social media platform X, stating, "Twins Territory is with you, Pablo."
The 2025 season proved to be a challenging one for Lopez, who had maintained a consistent presence on the mound from 2022 to 2024, making 32 starts in each of those years. However, in 2025, he experienced three separate stints on the injured list, limiting him to just 14 starts. Despite these setbacks, he managed to record a 5-4 record with an impressive 2.74 ERA across 75 2/3 innings. His injuries during the 2025 campaign included a hamstring issue, a muscle strain in his throwing shoulder, and a forearm strain, all contributing to the eventual decision for surgery.
Throughout his eight seasons in Major League Baseball, spanning his time with the Miami Marlins (2018-2022) and the Minnesota Twins, Lopez has accumulated a career record of 59-53 with a 3.81 ERA. Across 172 starts, he has tallied 994 strikeouts against 251 walks over 965 innings pitched. A 2023 All-Star, Lopez is currently in the third year of a four-year, $73.5 million contract signed in 2023, underscoring the team's significant investment in his talent. His absence will undoubtedly create a void in the Twins' pitching staff as they prepare for the 2026 season.
The Minnesota Twins are now faced with the task of adjusting their pitching strategy and roster in the wake of Pablo Lopez's season-ending injury. His rehabilitation process will be closely monitored, as the team looks forward to his eventual return to the mound, hopefully stronger and healthier. This situation underscores the physical demands placed on professional baseball pitchers and the ongoing challenges teams face in managing player health and performance.