The Minnesota Twins ace suffered a major injury, leaving his status in doubt for the upcoming season.
The Minnesota Twins will now look to build towards a 2026 campaign that suddenly may not include their ace. In the Twins’ first full day of spring training, righty Pablo Lopez felt elbow discomfort during a live batting practice session on Monday. On Tuesday, general manager Jeremy Zoll announced that the club learned that Lopez suffered a "significant tear" in his right ulnar collateral ligament. There is a chance he may need season-ending Tommy John surgery, though he is seeking a second opinion. It’s devastating news that significantly alters Minnesota’s hopes to seriously compete.
Lopez has been the club’s opening day starter for the last three years, and things suddenly look much different for the organization. He had been one of the more durable pitchers in the league from 2022 to 2024 with 32 appearances each season. Injuries limited him to 14 starts in his 2025 campaign, where he posted a 2.74 ERA. It also is a crushing blow to Lopez for the fact that he was set to pitch for his native country Venezuela in the upcoming World Baseball Classic next month.
Here is the full story from Twins Roundtable Grant Mona on the devastating update and what it means for Minnesota’s season.
It also puts Lopez’s long-term future in Minnesota in question. The team owes him $21.75 million this season and $21.5 million in 2027, and he will hit free agency after that. That’s a hefty cost this year for no return on the field, especially when it alters their season contention hopes. Ultimately, though, the short term carries more urgency as the Twins must suddenly scramble to try to replace their ace.