Twins Ace Nearing Return; Veteran Catcher Trying

The Minnesota Twins wrapped up a weekend series with the San Diego Padres by besting the NL West opponent in two of three contests. Realistically, they were the better team for the entirety of the series save for a couple innings pitched by recent trade acquisition Mick Abel.

Welcoming the Chicago White Sox to town on Monday, Minnesota also brought back a couple of holdovers as the active roster expanded from 26-to-28 players. Neither veterans Pablo Lopez or Christian Vazquez were among them, but they could still be on the horizon.

Pablo Lopez turns to Minnesota Twins for next outing

Minnesota has been without Pablo Lopez for months after he suffered a grade two teres major strain. It’s the same injury that cost fellow rotation member Joe Ryan his season last year. With more runway afforded than Ryan, he has been working through a rehab assignment and the Star Tribune’s Phil Miller says a return could be on the horizon.

“After yesterday, how it went, I’m glad I did it,” López said of his third rehab start, one more than he had hoped would be needed. “It will bring me some momentum.”

Momentum into his major league return, he means, which should come this weekend in Kansas City. López has missed three months because of a shoulder strain that has now healed, and he’s eager to rejoin the Twins.

“It feels like ages” since he pitched in the majors, he said. “So much has happened in these last three months. I spent so much time prepping for 75 feet, 90 feet, flat grounds, bullpens and now — hopefully in four or five days from now — doing it on a big league mound. I’m excited.”

Star Tribune

Lopez made his second-straight start against Toledo for St. Paul, and he dominated. In 5 2/3 innings, the Twins ace allowed just four hits while walking one and striking out seven. There’s nothing left for him to prove on the rehab assignment, and he lines up for a start on Friday in Kansas City.

He appears to be ready to head back to the #MNTwins. @pablojoselopez in his 3rd Major League rehab goes 5.2 shutout innings allowing 4 hits while walking one and striking out 7. Fastball sat 93.9 mph & topped out at 95.6 mph. His sinker was 93.2 mph. He got 14 swings and misses pic.twitter.com/E6F3Pu2b2f

— St. Paul Saints (@StPaulSaints) August 31, 2025

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Minnesota should get the opportunity to have Lopez make four or five starts down the stretch. The results won’t matter in the box score, but they’ll help him to go into the offseason with a renewed focus. Of course, it could also be a showcase to other teams if ownership and the front office want to further strip down the team. Lopez still has two years and $43.5 million left on his contract.

Christian Vazquez still trying for MN Twins

It’s been an unfortunate level of production from Christian Vazquez since signing his three-year, $30 million contract with the Minnesota Twins. He still wants to leave on his terms though, and after an emergency surgery, the hope is that a September return is possible.

“I texted with him yesterday. He’s doing well. Vazkie would love to play again this year. He has every intention of trying to get back and prove that he’s healthy going into the offseason.”

Rocco Baldelli – Star Tribune

Vazquez has been home in Florida, out of action since August 6th, due to a shoulder infection that required surgery. He owns a .174/.251/.247 line across 61 games this season. Certainly he’d love to show a new suitor that he can still get out there before the season ends.

Through three seasons with the Twins it has been defense and veteran leadership that drive Vazquez’s value. In 256 games he owns just a .212/.262/.305 line, so the offensive output is all but gone.

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Whether he gets back behind the plate for the MN Twins or not, a full recovery and healthy path forward is where the focus must be.