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

The 30-year-old right-hander will miss the 2026 season after tearing his ulnar collateral ligament.

Feb. 20, 2026 at 10:10pm

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Minnesota Twins pitcher Pablo López will undergo season-ending Tommy John elbow surgery next week after tearing his ulnar collateral ligament. This will be the second Tommy John procedure for the 30-year-old, who previously had the surgery as a minor leaguer with the Seattle organization in 2014.

Why it matters

López was the Twins' opening day starter for the past three seasons and was expected to play a key role for Venezuela in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. His absence will be a major blow to the Twins' pitching rotation as they look to build on their 2023 playoff appearance.

The details

López ended a bullpen session early during the Twins' first full-squad workout on Monday. While the team was initially hopeful the move was precautionary, an MRI later revealed a torn UCL that will require season-ending surgery. The procedure will be performed next week in Texas by Rangers team physician Dr. Keith Meister.

  • On February 20, 2026, the Twins announced that Pablo López would undergo Tommy John surgery.
  • López's surgery is scheduled for next week.

The players

Pablo López

A 30-year-old right-handed pitcher for the Minnesota Twins who will miss the 2026 season after tearing his ulnar collateral ligament and requiring Tommy John surgery.

Derek Shelton

The first-year manager of the Minnesota Twins.

Jeremy Zoll

The general manager of the Minnesota Twins.

Dr. Keith Meister

The Texas Rangers team physician who will perform Pablo López's Tommy John surgery.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

The Twins will need to find a replacement for López in their starting rotation and determine if they will pursue any free agent or trade options to bolster their pitching depth.

The takeaway

The loss of Pablo López is a significant setback for the Twins, who were counting on the right-hander to anchor their rotation and help the team build on its 2023 playoff appearance. His absence will test the team's pitching depth and force them to adjust their plans for the upcoming season.