The Minnesota Twins just kicked off Spring Training practices in Fort Myers. Monday represented the first full-squad workout under new manager Derek Shelton . Although pitchers and catchers had been in town since February 12th, they finally had a full complement of hitters to face.
Staff ace Pablo Lopez was on the bump throwing live batting practice, until he wasn't . He left the outing early, and was headed for an MRI. Unfortunately the Twins were given the worst news possible.
Initially the Minnesota Twins suggested that Pablo Lopez was pulled out of action due to an "abundance of caution." However, the optics of it were never going to generate the warm fuzzies, and the outcome is even worse.
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Pablo López has significant tearing of his UCL. Going for a second opinion. #MNTwins GM Jeremy Zoll said season-ending surgery is an option.
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) February 17, 2026
A torn UCL is the elbow ligament that typically requires Tommy John surgery. Lopez, who is 29 years old, has never had Tommy John surgery. Now nearly 1,000 innings into his major league career that outcome looks like.
Last season Lopez made just 14 starts as he dealt with a grade 2 teres major strain , as well as being shut down with forearm tightness . There were no indications that his offseason program was impacted, but it's clear that his arm just blew up on him.
Across those 14 starts last season, Lopez posted a 2.74 ERA (3.19 FIP) with 73 strikeouts across 75 2/3 innings. His health was a problem for the first time in years, but his effectiveness certainly was not.
Minnesota is now without their ace, and Venezuela is without their best starting pitcher for the World Baseball Classic. Both squads will have to pick themselves up and figure out how to move on.
Pablo Lopez is set to make $21.75 million this season . He also has that same figure coming to him next season, which is likely to be a lockout. With the new circumstances, it's entirely plausible he has thrown his last pitch for the Minnesota Twins.
Tom Pohlad was excited to share that the Twins tried to sign Framber Valdez . Of course they stopped short of making him a real offer and he went to Detroit for $115 million over the next three years. That forces Minnesota to look internall.
The expectations of Taj Bradley, Zebby Matthews, David Festa and Mick Abel all just raised substantially. Kendry Rojas, Andrew Morris, and other Triple-A arms could be called upon quickly as well.
Minnesota's win total was previously set at 74.5 for 2026 . The under now looks like a near certainty. Starting pitching was going to carry this club, and they just lost the top option.
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