One Minnesota Twins Player Could Have Major Impact in 2027

The Minnesota Twins finished 2026 at 77-85, third in the American League Central and well short of the postseason. Their pitching staff posted a 4.56 ERA, the sixth-worst mark in all of baseball. Getting right-hander Pablo Lopez back could give the rotation the boost it needs.

Lopez missed the entire season after Tommy John surgery in February to repair a significant tear in his right elbow's UCL. It was his second Tommy John procedure. The Twins expect him to be ready for 2027, but his recovery still needs to progress without setbacks.

Lopez began playing catch in August, starting from roughly 30 to 45 feet, and continued his throwing progression as the Twins wrapped up the year with an eye toward being ready for spring training. That is a positive step, though it does not guarantee he will be ready immediately.

The 30-year-old has shown what he can give Minnesota when healthy. In 2023, he went 11-8 with a 3.66 ERA and 234 strikeouts across 194 innings.

He followed that with 185 1/3 innings in 2024, making 32 starts for the second straight year. That kind of workload protects the bullpen and keeps a team from searching for replacement starters every five days.

Lopez was effective before his injury in 2025, posting a 2.74 ERA over 75 2/3 innings in 14 starts before a mild right forearm strain cut his season short. Minnesota has now gone two years without a full season from its top arm. 

The Twins still have pieces to build around. Taj Bradley led the staff with 178 1/3 innings in 2026, while Joe Ryan posted a 3.79 ERA in 27 starts. But Minnesota allowed 797 runs and its 4.56 team ERA showed how much room there is for improvement. Lopez at the top of the rotation changes everything.

His return would also give the Twins more flexibility with the rest of their arms. Instead of asking younger or less established pitchers to carry more than their share of the workload, Minnesota could put them in roles that better fit their experience level.

The key is health. Lopez has shown he can handle a heavy workload and miss bats at an elite level, but Tommy John recovery takes time and there are no guarantees.

If he returns to form, the Twins could look like a completely different team in 2027. For a team coming off a 77-win season, getting its ace back would be the single biggest addition Minnesota could make this offseason without spending a dollar.