MN Twins Ace Returns to Starting Rotation

It has been 95 days since June 3rd. That’s when Pablo Lopez took the mound against the Athletics. The team, formerly from Oakland, is playing at a minor league ballpark in West Sacramento.

Not only have their own players complained about the facilities, but Joe Ryan pointed to the lackluster field as a direct result for injuries to Minnesota Twins pitchers. Both Lopez and Zebby Matthews were hurt throwing off that mound.

The season is over by all competitive measures. Lopez wanted to return for personal competitor pursuits. On Friday night in Kansas City, he will.

Pablo Lopez activated IL for Minnesota Twins

Had Pablo Lopez remained healthy and continued to pitch for Minnesota, the season may not be in the state it currently is. Through 11 turns he has a 2.28 ERA (3.04 FIP) and looked like a Cy Young candidate. Cut short though, he’s now just trying to prove he’s back to a clean bill of health.

Minnesota has yet to make the transaction official, but Rocco Baldelli told reported on Thursday night that Lopez will be activated on Friday.

Though it’s not yet official, Pablo López will start for the #MNTwins on Friday in Kansas City, his first #MLB start since June 3.

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) September 5, 2025

Lopez has already faced the Kansas City Royals twice this season. At Kauffman Stadium in April he went 4 2/3 allowing one unearned run with six strikeouts. In late May he saw them at Target Field and turned in 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball with five strikeouts.

Due to the lengthy layoff, Lopez made three rehab starts at Triple-A St. Paul. He worked a total of 11 1/3 innings allowing four runs on 14 hits. He struck out 14 and walked just two. Two-of-three starts came against the Toledo Mud Hens and former Twins pitcher Randy Dobnak.

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

Ultimately Lopez is going to want evidence that he’s ready for a normal offseason program. A clean bill of health the rest of the way should help to set up a normal throwing progression this winter.

We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/0cTWiWirPW

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) September 5, 2025

In order to make room for Lopez, the Twins parted ways with arguably the worst reliever to ever don a Minnesota jersey. Derek Falvey traded for Noah Davis as depth back in July. The head honcho just couldn’t ever figure out when the innings-eating tendencies wore themselves out.

Ultimately, Lopez being back in the rotation, and Davis not being part of the organization are both positive outcomes.

Minnesota may have ulterior motives as well. After the insane deadline fire sale, it’s possible the Pohlads mandate an even further stripping of the payroll. Lopez’s $21.75 million next season is the largest contract on the books. He has two years left on the deal and should generate a significant return if made available.

Related: MN Twins’ Top Deadline Prize Makes Astonishing Admission

The Twins already considered the idea of trading Joe Ryan at the deadline. While they didn’t ultimately pull the trigger, that cat is now out of the bag. We will have to wait and see how Lopez pitches the rest of the way, and if Minnesota opts to bring him back next season.