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Twins Announce Unfortunate News to All-Star Pitcher After Early Exit vs. Athletics

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Toran Flores | Last updated Jun 5, 2025 1:02 AM ET

The Minnesota Twins have been emerging as one of the best teams in the MLB since the beginning of May.

After starting the season with a 13-20 record through their first 33 games, the Twins have flipped their season around, having a 20-7 record since May 3.

A mix of solid starts from the pitching rotation and a batting lineup that's come alive, Minnesota is in the mix once again in a close-knit AL Central division.

Although Minnesota has been plagued with injuries throughout the season, this hasn't stopped them from making adjustments.

Twins pitcher Pablo Lopez to miss time with shoulder strain

Moving forward, Minnesota will be without one of their best pitchers in right-handed starter Pablo Lopez.

After having another stellar outing on Tuesday, pitching five innings and giving up just two runs, Lopez left the 10-3 victory over the Athletics with a Grade 2 teres major strain in his throwing shoulder.

The injury he sustained in his start against the A's will sideline him for 8-12 weeks, according to Twins writer Dan Hayes.

MRI revealed a Grade 2 strain of the Teres Major in the right shoulder of Pablo López.
Expected to be out 8-12 weeks.#MNTwins
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) June 5, 2025

Even with the Twins finding their groove, it will be hard to adjust without Pablo Lopez.

It's the same injury that fellow Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan had at the end of 2024, resulting in him missing the rest of the season after sustaining the shoulder strain in early August.

Through 11 starts this season, 29-year-old Lopez has posted a 5-2 record, 2.82 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and has struck out 61 batters in 60.2 innings pitched.

In eight seasons in the MLB, Lopez has played for the Miami Marlins and the Minnesota Twins, earning an All-Star bid in 2023 and achieving a 15-win season in 2024.

The Twins are expected to pursue another arm to bolster a rotation that already features Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, and Chris Paddock.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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