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38 articles
MIN • Pitcher • #49
30 days ago
It’s broadly good news that López’s surgery was “less invasive” than a standard Tommy John surgery. Assuming he’s able to look good in his build up and has no setbacks, a return in the first half of the 2027 season will be on the table for the star starter. López will be on the final year of his four-year, $73.5 million contract in 2027. “This is the better of the two surgeries,” Twins athletic trainer Nick Paparesta said. “We’re pretty excited about that. Pablo is excited about that as well.”
Source: The Athletic
MIN • Pitcher • #49
about 1 month ago
The announcement doesn’t come as a surprise after the 29-year-old hurler was diagnosed with significant tearing of his UCL earlier in the week. It’s a brutal break for the Twins as López was set to anchor their starting rotation heading into the 2026 season. He’ll now miss the entire year — and possibly the start of the 2027 season as well, while recovering from the procedure.
Source: Aaron Gleeman
MIN • Pitcher • #49
about 1 month ago
López is heading for a second opinion, but Zoll conceded that season-ending surgery is an option. The 29-year-old hurler was limited to just 14 starts during the 2025 season due to forearm, shoulder and hamstring issues. He then experienced soreness in his elbow while throwing a live batting practice session on Monday. The Twins should provide another update after López gets his second opinion, but the unfortunate expectation is that he won’t pitch at all during the 2026 season.
Source: Dan Hayes
MIN • Pitcher • #49
about 1 month ago
Some soreness is to be expected early in spring camp, and the Twins are calling it completely precautionary, but you never want to hear about pitchers needing to get imaging done on their elbow. All Twins’ fans and fantasy managers can do now is wait and hope for the best. Look for the Twins to provide an update on the right-hander’s status as soon as more information becomes available.
Source: Aaron Gleeman
MIN • Pitcher • #49
about 2 months ago
It’s hard to see how López was cleared when so many others ran into insurance issues, but the Twins have indicated that he was slated to be fully healthy this spring. Ranger Suárez and Eduardo Rodríguez should also be a part of Venezuela’s rotation. The lineup should look something like: RF Ronald Acuña Jr., CF Jackson Chourio, C William Contreras, 1B Willson Contreras, DH Salvador Perez, LF Wilyer Abreu, 3B Eugenio Suárez/Maikel Garcia, 2B Gleyber Torres/Luis Arraez, SS Andrés Giménez/Exequiel Tovar.
MIN • Pitcher • #49
5 months ago
Falvey added that López is expected to have a normal offseason after ending last year on the injured list with a forearm strain. The 29-year-old right-hander was limited to just 14 starts because of forearm, shoulder, and hamstring issues, yet still posted an excellent 2.74 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 73/20 K/BB ratio across 75 2/3 innings. The durability concerns aren’t going away as he moves into his 30’s, but his per-inning performance keeps him firmly in the top-40 starter conversation for fantasy drafts next spring.
Source: Aaron Gleeman
MIN • Pitcher • #49
6 months ago
The good news is that an MRI revealed that his UCL is fully intact and he isn’t dealing with any structural damage. Had this been earlier in the season, it’s likely that he would have missed just one start before being able to rejoin the Twins’ rotation. It shouldn’t impact his ability to go through his regular off-season routine, and he should be fully recovered and ready to go for the start of spring training. Mick Abel was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul to take his spot in the Twins’ rotation.
MIN • Pitcher • #49
6 months ago
López will undergo further evaluation and imaging this weekend after suffering a forearm injury while making a diving play during the third inning of Friday’s start. The 29-year-old ace is questionable to make his final regular-season start this week against the Rangers, especially since the Twins are out of playoff contention. There should be an update on his status at some point in the coming days.
Source: Aaron Gleeman
MIN • Pitcher • #49
6 months ago
López ended up throwing 61 pitches with 40 of them landing for strikes. He gave up both runs in the first on a two-run single by Bo Naylor, and then settled down nicely over the next three frames before exiting. López is scheduled to face the Twins on Thursday, but because he missed three months with his strained shoulder, it’s possible that this was the last time we’ll see him in 2025.
MIN • Pitcher • #49
7 months ago
López gave up four hits, walked three and struck out six. The 29-year-old right-hander has allowed two earned runs in 11 innings over two starts since returning from the injured list. López’ 2.64 ERA shows he could’ve had a great season if he wasn’t on the injured list for most of it. He’s lined up to face the Yankees at home next week.
MIN • Pitcher • #49
7 months ago
López gave up six hits, walked one and struck out four. The 29-year-old right-hander posted a quality start in his first game in three months since going on the injured list with a shoulder injury. López has been good when healthy this year with a 2.84 ERA. He’s lined up to face the Angels on the road next week.
MIN • Pitcher • #49
7 months ago
The 29-year-old hurler finally makes his way back to the big league mound after being sidelined since early June with right shoulder tightness. It’s unclear if the Twins will shift to a six-man rotation to accommodate his return or if they’ll bump someone from their rotation to make room.
Source: Dan Hayes
MIN • Pitcher • #49
7 months ago
The 29-year-old hurler looked sharp in his first rehab start, allowing just one run over 1 2/3 innings while throwing 45 pitches. If all goes well in Sunday’s start, he’s expected to be cleared to return to the Twins’ rotation next weekend.
Source: Bobby Nightengale Jr.
MIN • Pitcher • #49
7 months ago
López was pulled after throwing exactly 45 pitches, hitting his target goal, during his rehab debut. The 29-year-old upper-echelon fantasy starter last pitched in the big leagues on June 3 against the Athletics. He averaged a crisp 94.1 mph on his four-seam fastball and piled up two strikeouts in the process. He’s working his way back from a Grade 2 teres major strain in his right shoulder and will need at least one or two additional tune-up outings to build up his pitch count and stamina before returning to Minnesota’s rotation.
Source: MiLB
MIN • Pitcher • #49
7 months ago
López was pulled after throwing exactly 45 pitches, hitting his target goal, during his rehab debut. The -year-old upper-echelon fantasy starter last pitched in the big leagues on June 3 against the Athletics. He averaged a crisp 94.1 mph on his four-seam fastball and piled up two strikeouts in the process. He’s working his way back from a Grade 2 teres major strain in his right shoulder and will need at least one or two additional tune-up outings to build up his pitch count and stamina before returning to Minnesota’s rotation.
Source: MiLB
MIN • Pitcher • #49
7 months ago
The 29-year-old hurler struck out two batters in the contest while throwing 26 of his 45 pitches for strikes. He’s going to need at least one additional start, possibly two, before he’s ready to make his return to the Twins’ rotation. López has been sidelined since June 4 due to a Grade 2 Teres Major strain.
Source: MiLB
MIN • Pitcher • #49
7 months ago
López is targeting roughly 45 pitches over three innings in his first rehab outing as he works his way back from a Grade 2 teres major strain in his right shoulder that put him on the shelf back in early June. He’ll need a couple outings to build up his pitch count and stamina before returning to spearhead Minnesota’s rotation.
Source: Bobby Nightengale
MIN • Pitcher • #49
7 months ago
There haven’t been a ton of updates from Minnesota regarding López’s potential return timeline as he makes his way back from a Grade 2 teres major strain in his right shoulder. The 29-year-old righty is close to making minor league rehab starts, but is running out of time to make it back to the big leagues before the end of the season.
Source: Bobby Nightengale
MIN • Pitcher • #49
9 months ago
Twins athletic trainer Nick Paparesta said that “things are progressing nicely” for López, who was placed on the IL with a Grade 2 Teres Major strain retroactive to June 4. The inflammation in his shoulder is now totally gone, but the Twins are being cautious not to rush him back. “We need to do the best thing we can for him for the long term and not just worry about the short term,” said Paparesta. “Strengthen him up and make sure his range of motion gets back to where we want it to be. Then look to get him into some throwing activity next week.”
Source: The Athletic
MIN • Pitcher • #49
10 months ago
Lopez was diagnosed with a teres major strain last week, and he’s expected to miss up to three months with the injury. The transfer to the 60-day list means he can’t return until August, and it opens a spot on the 40-man roster for Joey Wentz, who was claimed Wednesday from the Pirates.
MIN • Pitcher • #49
10 months ago
It’s a consequential hit to Minnesota’s rotation and a significant loss for fantasy managers as well since López is facing at least a two-month absence, which puts his potential return at some point in early August. It’ll most likely be David Festa coming up to take his rotation spot this weekend with a start against the Blue Jays. The lengthy absence makes it challenging for fantasy managers in shallow mixed leagues, especially those with limited injured list spots, to justify holding onto the 29-year-old ace. However, it sounds like he has a realistic chance to make it back for the final two months of the season.
Source: Dan Hayes
MIN • Pitcher • #49
10 months ago
It sounds like a virtual lock that López will require a trip to the injured list after suffering the injury while warming up for the sixth inning of Tuesday’s outing in Sacramento. The 29-year-old righty will undergo further testing and imaging on Wednesday to determine the severity of the strain and how much time he’s going to miss. Fantasy managers should prepare for a multi-week absence, even if it’s on the milder end of the spectrum. There should be an update on his status at some point this week.
Source: Betsy Helfand
MIN • Pitcher • #49
10 months ago
It sounds like a virtual lock that López will require a trip to the injured list after suffering a potential lat strain while warming up for the sixth inning of Tuesday’s outing in Sacramento. The 29-year-old righty will undergo further testing and imaging on Wednesday to determine the severity of the strain and how much time he’s going to miss. Fantasy managers should prepare for a multi-week absence, even if it’s on the milder end of the spectrum. There should be an update on his status at some point this week. David Festa and Simeon Woods Richardson are the most likely candidates to fill his rotation spot.
Source: Betsy Helfand
MIN • Pitcher • #49
10 months ago
Not good. López threw a couple warmup pitch at the outset of the sixth inning before immediately departing the contest with a trainer. He finished with four strikeouts, issued three walks and was charged with two runs over five innings of work. He was at only 72 pitches (43 strikes) at the time of his departure. There should be an update on his status shortly.
Source: Dan Hayes
MIN • Pitcher • #49
10 months ago
López didn’t have his best stuff today. His 93.5 mph average on his fastball was a season low (he’d previously ranged from 94.1 to 95.4), and he struck out just three of the 23 batters he faced. Hopefully, it’s just a blip. He should have an extra day of rest before taking on the A’s next Tuesday.
MIN • Pitcher • #49
10 months ago
López averaged a season-high 95.4 mph with his fastball tonight and got nine whiffs with a 41% CSW on the offering. He’s 4-2 with a 2.40 ERA through eight starts, and he’s due to face the Royals next.
MIN • Pitcher • #49
11 months ago
Lopez gave up five hits, walked two and struck out six. It was a far cry from the dominant 11-strikeout performance he turned in his last time out against the Orioles. Lopez’ 2.77 ERA this season isn’t quite supported by his 3.05 xFIP, though it isn’t far off. Fantasy managers have to be pleased with his strikeout production overall as he’s recorded 43 strikeouts in 39 innings. Lopez is lined up to start again next weekend against the Brewers on the road.
MIN • Pitcher • #49
11 months ago
The 29-year-old right-hander scattered just two hits on the evening while issuing one free pass. The only blemish on his day came in the form of a run-scoring double by Ryan Mountcastle in the fourth inning. López generated 18 swings and misses on 98 pitches on the night — 11 of those on his fastball — while posting a CSW of 31 percent. He’ll look to replicate this fine outing as he carries a stellar 2.18 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and a 37/5 K/BB ratio (33 innings) into Sunday’s battle against the Giants.
MIN • Pitcher • #49
11 months ago
López carried a shutout into the seventh inning before the Guardians finally broke through when he launched an ill-advised throw down the first-base line on Carlos Santana’s infield single, which allowed José Ramírez to scamper home on the play. He was charged with an additional run when Brock Stewart coughed up a three-run homer following his departure. He struck out six and didn’t hand out a free pass, but was still saddled with a loss in this one. He’ll bring a sparkling 2.25 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 26/4 K/BB ratio across 28 innings (five starts) into a home matchup on Tuesday against the Orioles.