Twins Pitcher Pablo López Suffers Elbow Tear, Likely Out for Season

The team's ace starter faces a lengthy recovery after a significant ligament injury.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Pablo López, the star starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins, has been diagnosed with a significant tear in the ulnar collateral ligament of his elbow. The injury is expected to sideline him for the remainder of the 2026 season as he undergoes treatment and rehabilitation.

Why it matters

López has been the Twins' ace pitcher in recent years, anchoring their starting rotation. His extended absence due to this serious elbow injury is a major blow to the team's playoff hopes and will force them to rely more heavily on their bullpen and other starters to fill the void.

The details

According to the team, López suffered the elbow tear during a recent spring training outing. He will undergo further evaluation to determine the best course of treatment, which could potentially include Tommy John surgery that would keep him out for 12-18 months.

  • The injury occurred during a spring training game on February 15, 2026.
  • López is expected to miss the entire 2026 MLB regular season.

The players

Pablo López

The Twins' star starting pitcher who has been diagnosed with a significant elbow ligament tear.

Minnesota Twins

The MLB team that employs Pablo López and will have to adjust their pitching rotation and playoff plans due to his extended absence.

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What they’re saying

“Losing Pablo for the season is a huge blow, but we're confident in the depth of our pitching staff to step up and fill the void.”

— Rocco Baldelli, Twins Manager (Star Tribune)

What’s next

The Twins will evaluate treatment options for López and determine a timeline for his potential return to the team, though he is likely to miss the entire 2026 season.

The takeaway

This injury to the Twins' ace pitcher underscores the fragility of pitching rotations and the importance of organizational depth, as the team will have to find a way to remain competitive without their top starter for the foreseeable future.