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Twins Pitching Ace Lopez Likely To Miss 2026 Season

By Jake Judd Feb 18, 2026 | 8:19 AM

Detroit Lakes, MN (KDLM) – The 2026 season appears to be over before it began for Minnesota ace Pablo Lopez.

The Minnesota Twins announced Tuesday that Pablo López suffered a significant tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his pitching elbow during a live bullpen session on Monday.

Lopez will seek a second medical opinion, but the injury is expected to require Tommy John surgery, a procedure that would sideline him for the entire 2026 season.

The loss is a major blow to Minnesota’s pitching staff.

Tommy John surgery typically requires 12 to 18 months of recovery time for pitchers, meaning Lopez’s availability for the start of the 2027 season could also be in question, depending on his rehabilitation timeline.

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