Twins’ Pablo Lopez has torn UCL in brutal spring coaching damage blow

A rebound season from the Twins simply turned much more daunting.

Twins starter Pablo Lopez has a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his proper arm that would lead to Tommy John surgical procedure, in keeping with stories.

Lopez will obtain a second opinion, in keeping with the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

It’s attainable Lopez may try to pitch via the damage like others have, however that often comes with a drop in velocity and generally solely prevents the inevitable.

Ligament points often are solved by way of surgical procedures, and Twins common supervisor Jeremy Zoll informed reporters that possibility is “very a lot on the desk,” in keeping with The Athletic.

Lopez initially skilled discomfort in his proper arm Monday after throwing two-plus innings in the course of the workforce’s first full-squad exercise and in the end underwent an MRI examination.

New supervisor Derek Shelton didn’t wish to dive into the worst-case situations Monday, but it surely’s clear the workforce now could also be with out its No. 2 starter this season.

Lopez, who turns 30 subsequent month, is getting into his fourth season with the franchise and can be slotted behind ace Joe Ryan within the rotation.

That pairing, if wholesome, may assist the Twins rebound from final 12 months’s 70-92 season, however Lopez lacking the 12 months may as an alternative result in questions on when Ryan could also be traded.

If Lopez undergoes surgical procedure, it could mark his second straight season coping with accidents.

He made simply 14 begins final 12 months to snap a streak of three straights season with 32 begins, lacking time resulting from a shoulder pressure in his throwing shoulder and forearm tightness in September.

Forearm tightness can generally be a precursor to Tommy John surgical procedure, however he obtained the inexperienced mild for a standard offseason, in keeping with The Athletic.

If the Twins plan to switch Lopez by way of free company, ex-Pink Sox starter Lucas Giolito is accessible.

The 2026 season marks the third of the four-year, $73.5 million contract Lopez signed with the workforce that runs via the 2027 season.

He’s 31-22 with a 3.68 ERA with the Twins, together with final 12 months’s 2.74 ERA.