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Twins' Pablo López to Miss 2026 After Tommy John Surgery

2/20/2026

24 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Minnesota Twins pitcher Pablo López will undergo Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for the 2026 season.
The procedure follows a confirmed tear in his right ulnar collateral ligament found after elbow soreness in a practice session.
This marks López's second Tommy John operation, with a 12–18 month recovery.
Joe Ryan is expected to lead the Twins' rotation.
General manager Jeremy Zoll expressed disappointment but said others must step up.

History

Historical Context

In 1974, orthopedic surgeon Frank Jobe performed the first ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, known as Tommy John surgery, on pitcher Tommy John. This innovative procedure allowed John to extend his career, winning 164 games post-surgery. Today, the surgery is common among baseball pitchers, with about 80% returning to their previous performance levels, reflecting the sport's evolving focus on player health and recovery.

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Story summary

The Minnesota Twins pitcher Pablo López will undergo Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for the 2026 season.
The procedure follows a confirmed tear in his right ulnar collateral ligament found after elbow soreness in a practice session.
This marks López's second Tommy John operation, with a 12–18 month recovery.
Joe Ryan is expected to lead the Twins' rotation.
General manager Jeremy Zoll expressed disappointment but said others must step up.

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