The Minnesota Twins were dealt difficult news on the injury front on Tuesday morning. The Athletic’s Aaron Gleeman, who covers the Twins, is reporting that Twins starting pitcher Pablo López has a torn ligament in his right arm that will likely require Tommy John surgery. 

López is headed for a second opinion on his elbow, but any procedure would likely lead to López missing the entire 2026 season. Last season, López made 14 starts, posting a record of 5-4, an ERA of 2.74, and a WHIP of 1.11. The 29-year-old spent two separate stints on the injured list, first in April with a right hamstring strain, then again in June with a right shoulder strain. 

The eight-year Major League Baseball veteran is entering his fourth season with the Twins organization after spending his first five seasons with the Miami Marlins organization. For his career, López has pitched in 172 games, going 59-53, with a 3.81 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. López was named to his first All-Star team during the 2023 season.

What Does This Mean for the Twins’ Rotation?

López was expected to provide a strong top of the Twins rotation, with fellow right-hander Joe Ryan. If López is out for the season, Ryan will be the team’s ace for 2026. Last season, Ryan went 13-10, with a 3.42 ERA and a WHIP of 1.04. Finishing the year with 194 strikeouts, 15th most in MLB. 

Bailey Ober seems to have positioned himself to slot in behind Ryan. A year after making 27 starts for the Twins. Last year, Ober went 6-9, with a 5.10 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. In the previous three seasons, Ober pitched to ERAs under 4.00. 

More Potential Options

Taj Bradley, who was acquired in exchange for Griffin Jax in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays at last year’s deadline, will likely get a chance to show why he was so highly touted coming up through the Rays’ minor league system. After acquiring Bradley, the Twins optioned the right-hander to AAA before recalling him on Aug. 24. In six starts with the Twins, Bradley went 0-2 with a 6.61 ERA and 1.40 WHIP. Bradley will be pitching for Mexico at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. 

Zebby Matthews is entering his third season with the Twins and is looking to put together a year of better results. Matthews is coming off a season in which the right-hander appeared in 16 starts. Going 5-6, with an ERA of 5.56 and a WHIP of 1.49. Matthews missed over a month in 2025 due to a right shoulder strain. 

Simeon Woods Richardson has spent the past two seasons as a member of the Twins rotation, making 28 starts in 2024 and 22 starts in 2025. Last season, Woods Richardson went 7-4, with a 4.04 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. Woods Richardson was optioned to AAA in May before returning almost a month later for the remainder of the season. 

David Festa has spent the past two seasons bouncing between the Twins and AAA St. Paul’s rotation. Last year, Festa went 3-4, with a 5.40 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. Festa last appeared in an MLB game in July. 21, before missing the remainder of the season with right shoulder inflammation. 

The Recent Acquisition 

Mick Abel was acquired at the 2025 trade deadline in exchange for former Twins closer Jhoan Duran. The former first-round pick in 2020, Abel, pitched in four games with the Twins after the trade, going 1-2, with an ERA of 8.36 and a WHIP of 1.79. 

The right-hander showed an ability to miss bats in 2025 upon arrival at the Twins, striking out 18 batters in 14 innings. Abel brings upside the Twins are hoping will allow them to stay competitive in the AL Central in 2026. 

 

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