Pablo López of the Twins heads into further testing after reporting elbow soreness, a development that forced him to cut his bullpen session short. The right-hander, who will be 30 next month, managed just over two innings before his workload was halted. He remains on track to join Venezuela for the World Baseball Classic, though this setback adds a cautionary note to his spring plans.
López has served as Minnesota’s Opening Day starter for three consecutive seasons. Last year, he logged 75 2/3 innings and spent time on the injured list for a hamstring issue, a shoulder problem, and forearm discomfort.
The 2023 All-Star owns a solid track record, posting at least 32 starts in each season from 2022 through 2024—his first with Miami, followed by a couple more with Minnesota. Twins manager Derek Shelton described the pause as a precaution, saying, “Out of an abundance of caution, let’s get him off the field and ensure he’s okay. We’ll pursue imaging given how vital he is to us.”
In 2024 López reached a career-high with 15 wins, and last season he went 5-4 with a 2.74 ERA, continuing his streak of 10-win campaigns in the prior two years.
And this is where the conversation gets interesting: a player’s spring readiness versus long-term health can shape big-season decisions. If López shows no structural issues, Minnesota fans can look forward to a familiar, durable presence atop the rotation. If imaging reveals something more serious, the Twins—like many teams—face tough choices about workload management and recovery timelines. As this situation unfolds, what are your thoughts on prioritizing early-season safety over immediate performance? Would you opt for extra rest or aggressive rehab to stay on pace for Opening Day?
