Minnesota Twins‘ leading pitcher Pablo López will undergo Tommy John surgery next week in Texas after the team confirmed a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his elbow. The surgery, expected to end López’s current season, was announced by the Twins following the diagnosis of the injury in Fort Myers, Florida.
The 29-year-old right-hander, who will turn 30 early next month, is scheduled to have the procedure performed by Dr. Keith Meister, the Texas Rangers’ team physician. This surgery marks the second time López has undergone Tommy John surgery, having first had the operation while a minor leaguer with the Seattle organization, which caused him to miss the 2014 season.
Injury Discovered After Early Workout Withdrawal
López abruptly ended a bullpen session during the Twins’ first full-squad workout on Monday. Initially, first-year manager Derek Shelton remained optimistic that López’s exit was precautionary. However, the following day, general manager Jeremy Zoll confirmed the severity of the UCL injury before media reporters.
López has been a consistent figure for the Twins, serving as the team’s Opening Day starter for the previous three seasons, and had plans to represent Venezuela in the upcoming World Baseball Classic next month.
Career Highlights and Recent Performance Overview
López began his Major League Baseball career in 2018 with the Miami Marlins, where he played for five seasons before being traded to Minnesota. In his debut season with the Twins, López was selected as an All-Star and played a pivotal role in helping end the franchise’s 18-game postseason losing streak across North American professional sports by posting an impressive 2-0 record and a 0.71 ERA in two playoff starts during 2023.
Currently earning $21.75 million this year, López is under contract through the next season. Despite a shoulder injury limiting him to only 14 starts last year, he previously delivered three consecutive 10-win seasons, starting with his final year in Miami. For the 2025 season, López held a 5-4 record with a 2.74 ERA and maintains a career record of 59-53 with a 3.81 ERA overall.
Implications of the Surgery on the Twins’ Season and Future Plans
López’s surgery and subsequent recovery timeline will leave a significant gap in the Twins’ pitching rotation for the remainder of the season. His experience and performance had been central to Minnesota’s pitching staff stability and playoff hopes. The team will likely seek adjustments to compensate for the loss of their ace, while López focuses on rehabilitation to return at full strength for the following seasons.
