![\"Pablo](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Syndication-Naples-Daily-News-28254244-1-scaled-e1771432015429.jpg\")
Credit: Jonah Hinebaugh\/Naples Daily News\/USA Today Network-Florida \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCredit: Jonah Hinebaugh\/Naples Daily News\/USA Today Network-Florida \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
First year manager Derek Shelton and his new boss<\/a>, Tom Pohlad, came into the start of Minnesota Twins spring training slinging optimism like Billy Mays<\/a> in his prime.<\/p>\n Pohlad has been talking big<\/a> about winning since he took over a few months ago. He\u2019s also been meeting with everyone associated with the organization, from Target Field staff, to fans, players and coaches \u2014 vowing his presence and dedication to the organization (minus the money part<\/a>, of course).<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Shelton entered camp focusing on fundamentals<\/a> like he once worked for Tom Kelly, not Rocco Baldelli. But he really caught attention when he kicked off full-squad practices Monday with a rousing clubhouse speech that clearly resonated with players.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udde3\ufe0f HUNT THE GOOD pic.twitter.com\/5425N734px<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Minnesota Twins (@Twins) February 16, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n Then later that day, not long after Shelton\u2019s speech, Pablo Lopez left the mound during a live batting practice session<\/a> with elbow soreness that an MRI later revealed as a torn UCL<\/a>. Lopez and the Twins quickly announced their intention to seek a second opinion, but season-ending Tommy John surgery was \u201cvery much on the table\u201d.<\/p>\n Season-ending surgery a near certainty for Pablo Lopez<\/p>\n Unfortunately, it\u2019s more than that. It doesn\u2019t sound like the Minnesota Twins will make anything official until their ace receives his aforementioned second opinion, but fans should not hold out hope that a miracle might be on the way. Because neither he nor the team are.<\/p>\n Pablo Lopez told reporters (including Bob Nightengale \u2013 Star Tribune<\/a>) yesterday after practice that this second opinion is just a formality. Both he and the Twins fully expect him to go on injured reserve and undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery.<\/p>\n L\u00f3pez, the Twins\u2019\u00a0Opening Day starter for each of the past three seasons<\/a>, will seek a second opinion from Dr. Keith Meister in Texas to confirm the \u201csignificant tear,\u201d but it\u2019s likely he will require season-ending Tommy John surgery to repair the ligament.<\/p>\n \u201cI already feel I\u2019m letting a lot of people down,\u201d said L\u00f3pez, who had hoped to play for Venezuela in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. \u201cI\u2019m letting myself down. I\u2019m letting the Twins down. I\u2019m letting my family down.\u201d Even with a forthcoming second opinion, L\u00f3pez fully expects he will undergo reconstructive surgery.\u00a0<\/p>\n Star Tribune<\/a><\/p>\n Maybe this is the baseball gods punishing the Minnesota Twins for cutting another $30 million in team payroll this offseason\u2026 then trying to sell hope to their fanbase<\/a>. If so, I\u2019m not a fan, no matter how much the Pohlads might deserve it.<\/p>\n Because neither Pablo Lopez nor the Twins fanbase deserves the fallout from this injury. The 29-year-old<\/a> was gearing up to play for Venezuela<\/a> in the World Baseball Classic. This injury hurts their chances next month badly.<\/p>\n Minnesota Twins teammates struggling to grasp reality<\/p>\n Lopez\u2019 injury is so devastating that fans aren\u2019t the only ones struggling to grasp reality. While MN Twins GM Jeremy Zoll tried to spin it as an opportunity for young arms in a deep staff to step up, Joe Ryan \u2014 who will play for Team USA in the WBC<\/a> \u2014 still hasn\u2019t come to terms with the reality of Pablo\u2019s devastating injury.<\/p>\n \u201cTo me, it doesn\u2019t feel real, in a sense. It\u2019s just a shock.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe Ryan (via Star Tribune<\/a>)<\/p>\n Related: Yankees Blocked Former Twins Coach From Returning<\/a><\/p>\n Lopez came into spring training feeling healthy after missing most of the 2025 season with hamstring, forearm and shoulder injuries that allowed him to take the mound just 14 times.<\/p>\n When healthy last year, though, Pablo was Pablo, dealing<\/a> 75.2 innings with 73 strikeouts, just 20 walks, a 2.74 ERA, 156 ERA+ and 3.19 FIP.<\/p>\n Given the unknown of Lopez\u2019 recovery from Tommy John surgyer, combined with the looming MLB lockout next season\u2026 it\u2019s possible we have seen Pablo Lopez pitch his last game as a member of the Minnesota Twins. Let\u2019s hope not.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMentioned in this article: injury updates<\/a> Pablo Lopez<\/a> Tommy John<\/a> <\/p>\n More About:Minnesota Twins<\/a><\/p>\n Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google. \t\t\t![\"Add](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/google_preferred_source_badge.png\"){kind=icon}
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