Pablo López injured his elbow during his first live BP session this spring. Nick Wosika / Imagn Images
Feb. 20, 2026Updated 2:50 pm EST
FORT MYERS, Fla. — A second opinion has confirmed what was already feared — Minnesota Twins starter Pablo López will require Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and miss the entire season.
López revealed the news on Friday. The surgery, which will be the second Tommy John procedure of his career, is set for Wednesday.
“I don’t think it’s hit me yet,” López said. “It’s sitting definitely heavy. … I think it’s going to hit me harder next week when (surgery) happens and all of that. We knew what we were looking at. I think I’m a pretty realistic person. I know what’s in front of me.”
López was pitching his third inning in Monday’s live batting practice when he felt something in his right elbow and exited the mound after two pitches. A day later, the team said an MRI showed a significant tear in his ulnar collateral ligament, and López was likely to require surgery.
The injury occurred near the end of the team’s first full-squad workout of spring training.
At minimum, López is expected to miss 12 months, though the process could take longer because it’s the second elbow reconstruction of his career. López previously had Tommy John surgery in 2014.
“We know what we’re facing, and now we come up with the plan and the strategy,” López said. “Now, we come up with the way to come out of this. Not only get back to pitching, but get back to pitching better.”
Feb 21, 2026
Connections: Sports Edition
Spot the pattern. Connect the terms
Find the hidden link between sports terms
Play today’s puzzle
