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

Minnesota Twins ace Pablo López will miss the entire 2026 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, according to multiple Yahoo Sports reports. The surgery, performed by Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas, Texas, marks a significant blow to the Twins' rotation as López was slated to pitch for Venezuela in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

López previously underwent Tommy John surgery as a teenager but returned as an All-Star who helped break the Twins' postseason losing streak. Despite the injury, he is expected to remain a presence in the clubhouse, focusing on rehabilitation and mental growth during his recovery. Joe Ryan’s own health is uncertain due to lower back inflammation, further complicating the Twins’ pitching depth ahead of the season.

In response to López’s absence, Minnesota is exploring trade options, with former All-Star Lucas Giolito emerging as a prime candidate to bolster the rotation. The Twins reportedly see Giolito, who could command a three-year, $61 million contract, as a cost-effective, innings-intensive replacement, according to reporting from Yahoo Sports.

The loss of López and potential struggles with Ryan place pressure on the Twins to reconfigure a rotation that also includes Bailey Ober. Securing Giolito would add experience and durability but still leaves questions about how the pitching staff will perform over an extended stretch without López.

Looking ahead, the Twins’ efforts to finalize a deal for Giolito or other rotation options will be critical to their competitiveness in 2026. Monitoring López’s rehab progress and Ryan’s health status will also shape the team’s pitching outlook as the season approaches.