Twins Star Pablo López to Undergo Season-Ending Tommy John Surgery

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Minnesota Twins' Ace Pablo López Faces Season-Ending Tommy John Surgery

The Minnesota Twins organization is bracing for a significant setback as their ace pitcher, Pablo López, has been diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow, necessitating season-ending Tommy John surgery. The discovery was made after López experienced discomfort during a bullpen session early in the team's first full-squad workout this past Monday.

In an announcement made on Friday, the Twins confirmed that López's surgery is slated to take place next week in Texas. The procedure will be performed by Dr. Keith Meister, the team physician for the Texas Rangers, who is renowned for his expertise in orthopedic sports injuries. This news comes just weeks before López was set to represent Venezuela in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, a significant blow to both the player and his national team.

This will be the second Tommy John surgery of López's career. He previously underwent the same procedure in 2014 while he was a minor league player in the Seattle Mariners organization, an injury that cost him the entire 2014 season. The recurrence of such a severe elbow injury raises concerns about his long-term durability and ability to return to his previous elite form.

The initial concern arose when López cut short a bullpen session during the Twins' initial full-squad workout. First-year manager Derek Shelton initially expressed optimism, suggesting the move might have been precautionary. However, the following day, General Manager Jeremy Zoll confirmed the severity of the injury, revealing the UCL tear to reporters. This revelation cast a shadow over the team's preparations for the upcoming MLB season.

López, who turns 30 early next month, has been a cornerstone of the Twins' rotation. He has served as the team's Opening Day starter for the past three consecutive years, a testament to his consistent performance and importance to the club. His absence will undoubtedly create a void in the starting rotation, forcing manager Derek Shelton and the front office to re-evaluate their pitching depth.

The right-hander joined the Twins via a trade after spending his first five Major League seasons with the Miami Marlins, where he made his debut in 2018. His tenure with Minnesota has been highly successful. In his first year with the team, he earned an All-Star selection and played a crucial role in the Twins' historic postseason victory in 2023, ending an 18-game postseason losing streak for North American professional sports franchises. He showcased his dominance in those playoffs, posting a 2-0 record with an exceptional 0.71 ERA across two starts.

Financially, López is in the midst of a significant contract, earning $21.75 million this season and is under contract through the next year. However, his recent injury history has been a concern. Last season, a shoulder injury limited him to just 14 starts. Prior to that, he had been remarkably durable, making 32 starts in each of three consecutive seasons, achieving double-digit wins in each of those campaigns, including his final year with the Marlins. His career record stands at 59-53 with a 3.81 ERA, with a 5-4 record and a 2.74 ERA in 2025. (Note: The year '2025' appears to be a typo in the source text and likely refers to a previous season or the current season's statistics.)

Tommy John surgery is a well-known procedure in baseball, but it requires an extensive rehabilitation period, typically ranging from 12 to 18 months. López's recovery will be closely monitored by the Twins organization as they look toward his potential return. The team must now navigate the upcoming season without one of its most reliable and impactful pitchers, highlighting the inherent risks and unpredictability of professional baseball.

Ekhbary News Agency