Twins ace Pablo López set to begin rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul Thursday
López will make his first start on the mound since leaving the Twins' game against the Athletics due to a right teres major strain on June 3 in Sacramento, Calif., with the Saints on Thursday at CHS Field in St. Paul, according to 5 Eyewitness News' Darren Wolfson.
Hear that the plan is for Pablo to start for the Saints at CHS Field in St. Paul on Thursday night vs. Round Rock Express (Rangers AAA affiliate). #MNTwins https://t.co/SZGkBz8Vm1
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) August 19, 2025
López threw 40 pitches in two simulated innings on Friday, facing Austin Martin, Edouard Julien and Ryan Fitzgerald, per MLB's Pat Donnelly.
"I hit all the marks while sustaining the velo I had today in the first and second inning; I was anywhere from 93 to 95 [mph]. The pitches were moving the way they were supposed to,” López said after his simulated innings.
Are the Twins bringing back Pablo López to increase his trade value?
Fans are probably conflicted to hear that López is returning to in-game action on Thursday. On one hand, López is easily one of the Twins' best players, and his inevitable return to the majors this year will make the rest of the disappointing season more enjoyable. On the other hand, one has to wonder if having López return this late in a season where the Twins won't make the playoffs (barring a miracle) means the star pitcher will be on the trade block this winter.
Many signs point toward the Twins parting ways with López this winter to shed salary and bolster an already strong farm system; Twins president Derek Falvey traded 10 players from the active roster and shed $70 million in payroll with the Carlos Correa trade after cutting payroll following a successful 2023 season, Minnesota added more starting pitching depth by acquiring starting pitchers Mick Abel, Taj Bradley and Kendry Rojas, and a lockout in 2027, which is López's final year of his current contract, appears very likely to occur.
Of course, the Twins might just want López to get some in-game action before the end of the season to build his confidence for 2026. Joe Ryan may be traded as well, which would help López's chances of remaining a Minnesota Twin.