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MN Twins Ace Takes Big Step Towards Return
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- MN Twins Ace Takes Big Step Towards Return
Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Twins pitching staff was absolutely decimated at the trade deadline. Five of the eight active bullpen arms were sent packing . That generated an even larger issue for Rocco Baldelli when trying to get nine innings on the mound each night.
Pablo Lopez has been out for months . David Festa has been out for weeks . Simeon Woods Richardson just underwent a surgery because something was trying to eat him from the inside out.
Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Thankfully the assumption has always been that Lopez would return at some point. There are roughly six weeks left in the regular season and he's making strides towards doing just that.
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Pablo Lopez nearing return for Minnesota Twins
Realistically the runway for Pablo Lopez to contribute the rest of the way is incredibly small. He last pitched on June 3rd, and he'll need a real rehab assignment prior to being activated. The Athletic's Dan Hayes provided an update on his progress.
Pablo López is throwing two innings of live batting practice on Friday. It'll be his sixth time off the mound, including bullpens, etc. Big step. #MNTwins
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) August 14, 2025
Live batting practice is basically the final step before seeing actual game action. Just because Lopez is set to embark on that reality Friday doesn't mean he won't go through the routine multiple times.
The St. Paul Saints are back in town next week, and a rehab assignment taking place just across town could make sense for Lopez. He certainly needs a couple of turns to ramp back up into game shape, but there's probably not enough room for him to have an unrestricted runway into the offseason.
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Lopez through six innings in just four of his 11 starts this season . After experiencing such a lengthy absence, and the same injury that cost Joe Ryan his season last year , caution must be exercised. If the Twins can get innings from Lopez down the stretch, that would be a positive reality going into the offseason. It may also help any hope that the Pohlad's have on further cutting payroll with trades of Lopez and Ryan .
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In each of the past three seasons Lopez has made exactly 32 starts. Across 11 this season he owns a career-low 2.82 ERA (3.01 FIP) and 61/14 K/BB across 60 2/3 innings. It's truly too bad the injury cut short what looked like such a promising start.
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