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

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

Feb. 21, 2026 at 3:06am

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Minnesota Twins pitcher Pablo López will undergo season-ending Tommy John elbow surgery after tearing his ulnar collateral ligament. The 29-year-old right-hander, who was expected to be the Twins' opening day starter for the fourth straight year, will miss the entire 2026 season as he recovers from the procedure.

Why it matters

The loss of López is a major blow to the Twins' pitching rotation, as he has been the team's ace for the past three seasons. His absence will put added pressure on the rest of the starting staff to step up and fill the void left by the All-Star's injury.

The details

López first experienced issues with his elbow during the Twins' first full-squad workout on Monday, prompting the team to send him for further evaluation. An MRI revealed a complete tear of his ulnar collateral ligament, requiring season-ending Tommy John surgery. The procedure will be performed next week in Texas by Rangers team physician Dr. Keith Meister. This will be the second Tommy John surgery for López, who previously had the procedure as a minor leaguer with the Seattle Mariners organization in 2014.

  • López first experienced elbow issues during the Twins' first full-squad workout on Monday, February 20, 2026.
  • The Twins announced López's need for Tommy John surgery on Friday, February 21, 2026.
  • López's surgery is scheduled to take place next week in Texas.

The players

Pablo López

A 29-year-old right-handed pitcher for the Minnesota Twins, who was expected to be the team's opening day starter for the fourth consecutive season before suffering a season-ending elbow injury.

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, likely turning to internal options or exploring the free agent market. The team will also have to determine if López will be ready to return in time for the 2027 season.

The takeaway

The loss of Pablo López is a significant setback for the Twins, who were counting on the right-hander to anchor their pitching staff. His absence will test the depth of the team's rotation and put added pressure on the rest of the starting pitchers to step up in his absence.