Minnesota Twins star starting pitcher Pablo López missed the entire 2026 season after undergoing an internal brace procedure in February. He started playing catch in August and expects to return in spring training.
“In my case, chronologically speaking, I’m going to go straight into spring training, straight into the fire,” Lopez told Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune.
López isn't the only Twins starter who dealt with a major injury this year, as Mick Abel landed on the IL in April and missed the rest of the season, David Festa missed the entire season with a shoulder impingement and neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) symptoms, and Joe Ryan missed a month late in the year with a glute injury.
Without López, the Minnesota Twins' starting pitching staff struggled significantly for much of the year. In 2026, the Twins' starting pitchers ranked 22nd in ERA (4.43). On the bright side, the club's FIP (4.21) suggested the rotation pitched much better than its ERA. Minnesota's starters ranked 14th in walk rate (8.0%) and 12th in strikeout rate (22.4%) this year.
A healthy Pablo López makes the Twins' rotation much better
Obviously, health is always a question mark for every team, but if Minnesota's rotation is mostly healthy next year with López at the top, it should be much better. With López, Joe Ryan, Taj Bradley and Mick Abel as the top four (assuming Ryan or López isn't traded), the Twins could have one of the league's better rotations.
López is under team control through next season. The Twins acquired the right-hander from the Miami Marlins after the 2022 season in exchange for infielder Luis Arraez. A few months later, the Twins signed López to a four-year, $73.5 million contract extension.
López quickly became the Twins' ace, representing Minnesota in the All-Star Game in his first year with the team. In 2023, López posted a 3.66 ERA and a 3.33 FIP with 234 strikeouts over 194 innings. In two 2023 postseason starts, López allowed just one earned run over 12 2/3 innings.
In his second year with the Twins, López recorded a 4.08 ERA and a 3.65 FIP with 198 strikeouts over 185 2/3 innings. He unfortunately dealt with multiple injuries during the 2025 season, limiting him to 14 starts in which he posted a strong 2.74 ERA over 75 2/3 innings.
Let's hope the Twins get a healthy version of López leading the rotation in 2027. If so, the Twins will have a strong chance to win an American League Central that appeared weak most of the season.
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