### Pablo López's Injury: A Major Setback for the Minnesota Twins The Minnesota Twins are facing a significant challenge as their ace pitcher, Pablo López, has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder. This injury is expected to sideline him for **8 to 12 weeks**, which could have substantial implications for the team's performance and strategy moving forward. López, who was the Twins' Opening Day starter and an All-Star in 2023, exited a recent game against the Oakland Athletics after experiencing discomfort during the fifth inning. This marks his second stint on the injured list this season, having previously missed time due to a hamstring strain earlier in April [https://www.newsbreak.com/cbs-sports-1740733/4038449285318-pablo-l-pez-injury-what-s-next-for-the-twins-with-their-ace-out-2-3-months-with-a-shoulder-issue, https://www.newsbreak.com/news/4039192731694-twins-pablo-lopez-out-up-to-three-months-with-shoulder-injury]. ### Breakdown of the Situation 1. **Injury Details**: - Pablo López has a Grade 2 strain of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder. - Expected recovery time is between **8 to 12 weeks** [https://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/twins-pablo-lopez-expected-to-miss-8-to-12-weeks-because-of-a-strained-shoulder]. 2. **Impact on the Team**: - The Twins will need to adjust their rotation, potentially looking for internal options or trades to fill the gap left by López [https://www.newsbreak.com/cbs-sports-1740733/4038449285318-pablo-l-pez-injury-what-s-next-for-the-twins-with-their-ace-out-2-3-months-with-a-shoulder-issue]. - David Festa has been called up from Triple-A St. Paul to take over López's spot in the rotation [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/twins_rhp_pablo_lopez_expected_to_miss_8_12_weeks_with_shoulder_injury/s1_17044_42287037]. 3. **Historical Context**: - This injury is similar to one suffered by teammate Joe Ryan last season, who also missed significant time but returned strong [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/twins_pitcher_to_miss_multiple_months_with_shoulder_injury/s1_13237_42286928]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Injury Timeline**: - López left the game against the Athletics after five innings, reporting discomfort during warm-up pitches for the sixth inning [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/twins_pablo_lopez_exits_due_to_shoulder_tightness/s1_17044_42282331]. - The Twins confirmed the injury diagnosis following imaging tests conducted on June 5, 2025 [https://www.espn.co.uk/mlb/story/_/id/45454215/twins-pablo-lopez-8-12-weeks-strain-shoulder]. - **Performance Metrics**: - Prior to the injury, López had a record of **4-3** with an ERA of **2.82** over 11 starts this season [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/twins_pitcher_to_miss_multiple_months_with_shoulder_injury/s1_13237_42286928]. ### Conclusion: Navigating the Road Ahead **The Minnesota Twins face a critical juncture as they adapt to the loss of Pablo López for the next 2 to 3 months.** 1. **Immediate Adjustments**: - The team must quickly integrate David Festa into the rotation and consider potential trades to bolster their pitching staff [https://www.newsbreak.com/cbs-sports-1740733/4038449285318-pablo-l-pez-injury-what-s-next-for-the-twins-with-their-ace-out-2-3-months-with-a-shoulder-issue]. 2. **Long-term Outlook**: - While the injury is a setback, historical precedents suggest that recovery can lead to a strong return, as seen with Joe Ryan [https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/twins_pitcher_to_miss_multiple_months_with_shoulder_injury/s1_13237_42286928]. 3. **Fan and Team Sentiment**: - López expressed his disappointment, calling the injury "a tough pill to swallow," highlighting the emotional toll on players facing such challenges [https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/sports/pro/twins-starter-pablo-lopez-calls-injury-a-tough-pill-to-swallow]. The Twins will need to rally together and find ways to maintain their competitive edge during López's absence.