Second Opinion Confirms Devastating Twins Injury
The Minnesota Twins play their annual spring exhibition game on Friday down in Fort Myers against the Minnesota Gophers, before they kick off Grapefruit League action tomorrow vs the Boston Red Sox. Both games will be televised on Twins.TV, along with all of the Twins’ home games this spring.
Unfortunately, before they even got to play an exhibition inning, the Minnesota Twins were dealt the worst possible injury blow they could have received prior to the 2026 MLB regular season.
Pablo Lopez season done for Minnesota Twins
On the first day of full-squad practices, ace pitcher Pablo Lopez left the mound with right elbow soreness that an MRI later revealed as a significantly torn UCL, which — pending a second opinion from Dr. Keith Mester (Texas) — would require season-ending Tommy John surgery to fix.
Neither the Twins nor Lopez were holding out any hope that Dr. Meister would provide any sort of miracle diagnoses, after evaluating the torn UCL himself. Thus, they were not surprised Thursday when he confirmed the need for surgery.
#MNTwins ace Pablo Lopez will have arm surgery on Wednesday, wiping out his 2026 season. The second opinion confirmed ligament damage.
— Declan Goff (@DexsTweets) February 20, 2026
This will be the second time Lopez has had a Tommy John procedure done to repair his right UCL. The first time came back in 2014, when he was just 18 years old. Minnesota did confirm that the UCL tear was new, and not something tied to injuries from last season.
In 2025, Lopez missed most of the season with a grade 2 teres major strain, then finished the year on the injured list with forearm tightness, after a late comeback attempt.
In 14 games before his injury, Lopez threw 75 2/3 innings while carrying a 2.74 ERA (3.19 FIP). He had 73 strikeouts and could have been in consideration for Cy Young votes. Now he’ll be shelved at least until Spring Training 2027.
Pablo Lopez may have thrown his last MN Twins pitch
With Lopez now done for the season, it’s worth wondering if he’ll ever pitch for the Minnesota Twins again. 2027 is the final year of his four-year contract, but there remains a high likelihood of a lockout. If labor disruption costs Minnesota the season, then Lopez would be a free agent in 2028.
Twins Territory is with you, Pablo ❤️
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) February 20, 2026
Pablo López will undergo surgery on his right UCL on Wednesday in Dallas, Texas and will be out for the 2026 season. pic.twitter.com/JpHRr9GnEf
In 2028 Lopez will be 32 years old. It’s very possible that the Twins would have interest in a pillow deal for him to rebuild value. Although the front office is now without Derek Falvey, the organization did similar contracts with Chris Paddack and Michael Pineda.
Minnesota initially acquired Lopez in the Luis Arraez trade. He has a 3.68 ERA in 78 games with the Twins. Lopez has also quickly emerged as one of the best people in the clubhouse.
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