The Minnesota Twins’ 2026 postseason aspirations took a catastrophic hit on Saturday as ace pitcher Pablo López was officially ruled out for the entire season. The right-hander has suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his pitching elbow and will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery in Dallas next week. The devastating news comes just days into Grapefruit League play, forcing the Twins to completely restructure their rotation before Opening Day.

Catastrophic Blow to Twins Rotation

The injury occurred earlier this week during a live batting practice session at the Lee Health Sports Complex in Fort Myers. López, who was ramping up for what would have been his fourth consecutive Opening Day start, pulled himself from the mound after experiencing significant elbow discomfort. Initial optimism quickly faded as MRI results confirmed a complete tear of the UCL.

Dr. Keith Meister, the Texas Rangers’ team physician and a leading orthopedic surgeon, will perform the reconstructive procedure. This marks the second Tommy John surgery for the 29-year-old López, who previously underwent the operation as a minor leaguer in 2014. The typical recovery timeline for a second revision surgery is often 14 to 16 months, potentially jeopardizing the start of his 2027 campaign as well.

Internal Options to Replace the Ace

With López sidelined, the mantle of staff ace now falls to right-hander Joe Ryan. Ryan, who has been a steady presence in the Minnesota rotation, will be tasked with leading a staff that suddenly looks much younger and less experienced. Bailey Ober is expected to slide into the No. 2 spot, providing a reliable, if not overpowering, secondary arm.

The real question for manager Derek Shelton is how to fill the remaining void. The competition for the final rotation spots has now intensified significantly. Top internal candidates include:

  • Taj Bradley: The electric but inconsistent righty acquired via trade will likely be thrust into a solidified starting role.
  • Simeon Woods Richardson: After showing flashes of stability in 2025, he is a frontrunner to secure a permanent rotation job.
  • Mick Abel & Zebby Matthews: Both young prospects were already turning heads in camp and may now be fast-tracked to the big leagues to provide depth.

Free Agency Scramble?

The timing of the injury—mid-February—leaves the Twins front office with limited external options. While marquee free agents like Framber Valdez are already off the board (signing with division rival Detroit), Minnesota could pivot to remaining veteran arms such as Lucas Giolito or Zack Littell to provide innings insurance. New controlling owner Tom Pohlad, who promised an aggressive offseason, now faces his first major crisis.

2026 Season Outlook: An Uphill Battle

Losing López is a massive setback for a team trying to rebound from a disappointing 70-92 finish in 2025. López was not just the ace; he was the clubhouse leader and a workhorse who stabilized the staff. His absence puts immense pressure on the bullpen and the offense to overperform.

For fantasy baseball managers, this is a critical update: remove López from all draft boards immediately. Joe Ryan sees a bump in value as the unquestioned ace, while speculative adds on Bradley or Woods Richardson could pay dividends in deeper leagues.

As the Twins navigate this spring training nightmare, the focus shifts to resilience. "It’s a huge blow, there's no denying that," a team source admitted. "But in this league, nobody feels sorry for you. We have to find a way to get 27 outs without Pablo."