Twins Pitcher Pablo Lopez to Undergo Tommy John Surgery

The 29-year-old right-hander will miss the entire 2026 MLB season.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The Minnesota Twins announced that starting pitcher Pablo Lopez, 29, will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right ulnar collateral ligament and miss the entire 2026 MLB season. The surgery is scheduled for February 25 in Dallas, Texas, and the typical recovery time is around 12 months.

Why it matters

The loss of Lopez is a significant blow to the Twins' pitching rotation as he has been a key part of their starting staff over the past several seasons. His absence will force the team to rely more heavily on their bullpen and other starters to fill the void left by his injury.

The details

Lopez, a right-handed pitcher, is scheduled to have the Tommy John surgery on February 25 in Dallas, Texas. The typical recovery time for this procedure is around 12 months, but can sometimes take longer depending on the individual's rehab and overall healing process.

  • The Twins announced the news on Friday, February 21, 2026.
  • Lopez's surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
  • The Twins will begin Spring Training play on Saturday, February 21, 2026 against the Boston Red Sox.

The players

Pablo Lopez

A 29-year-old right-handed starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins.

Minnesota Twins

A Major League Baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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What’s next

The Twins will need to determine how to fill the void left by Lopez's absence in their starting rotation for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The loss of a key starting pitcher like Pablo Lopez to a major injury is a significant setback for the Twins, who will have to rely on their depth and make adjustments to their pitching staff to remain competitive during his recovery and rehabilitation.