Even with Twins out of contention, Pablo López aims for late season return: ‘I want to do it'

New York Times

6 days ago

MINNEAPOLIS — If all goes according to plan, Pablo López could see himself making four to six starts before the season ends.
As he prepared Thursday for an upcoming live batting practice, the Minnesota Twins starting pitcher said he's not interested in being shut down before the season ends even though the team isn't contending for a postseason spot.
For López, demonstrating good health before October is critical. He hopes Friday's planned two-inning live batting practice, the first batters he'll face since being placed on the injured list on June 4 with a Grade 2 Teres Major strain, is the next step in a positive recovery process, one in which López has hit every mark.
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'I want to do it,' López said. 'I want to be able to tell myself I was able to come back from this injury and pitch and perform at the level I know I can perform. … I want to have a regular offseason where I can follow the progression I've been following the last couple of years.'
He's feeling anxious about the possibility of returning. Early, López didn't feel nervous when the big steps in his recovery were playing catch three days in a row from 75 feet.
But López recognizes he's reached a point in which the intensity increases as hitters step in to face him Friday. He also understands if this next activity goes well, he would soon likely find himself making a minor-league rehab start. Communication is critical with the athletic and strength and conditioning staffs.
'They want to make sure we're taking all the right steps,' López said. 'I have to make sure I'm being smart about it. I have to be like, 'Is there something feeling different? Does this need a little more TLC than normal?' So far everything's been feeling the way it does during the regular season if I didn't get hurt.'
López is doing his best at adjusting to life after suffering a major injury. The right-hander acknowledges feeling disconnected from the team, especially after he was stuck rehabbing at home during a wild trade deadline in which eight teammates were dealt while the Twins were in Cleveland (the transactions involving Chris Paddack and Jhoan Duran were finalized during a homestand).
'There were some people I didn't know initially who were here,' López said. 'Definitely added to feeling disconnected. … I'm just welcoming everyone and we have to play the games we have in front of us with the talent that we have.'
López enjoys watching young players like Luke Keaschall get their opportunities. He acknowledged being surprised by Thursday's news the Pohlad family would retain controlling ownership after selling off at least 20 percent of the club to two minority ownership groups.
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Similar to anyone in the Twins' realm, López, who is the team's highest-paid player, wondered what happened and what's to come.
'Did someone get cold feet?' López said. 'Was someone less interested or maybe they thought they were going to and it didn't happen? … Obviously, we've seen the trend the last couple of years of trimming down payroll. I don't know if that's going to keep happening. … It'll be interesting to see what comes forward.'
López should be particularly interested in what's ahead. One benefit to him returning before the season ends and demonstrating health is it would make him easier to trade, if the Twins opted to tear down the roster a little more.
He is owed $43 million over the final two seasons of his contract. Though he'd be difficult to replace, the Twins showed in late July they're not afraid to trade anyone who isn't bolted down by a no-trade clause.
Were López to enter the offseason healthy, a team starved for starting pitching might potentially blow the Twins away for their frontline starter.
It all starts with Friday's live BP session.
'I want to be able to go into the offseason feeling healthy and knowing I'm healthy, knowing that I can pitch and I can perform,' López said. 'That will make it easier in my head to go into the offseason and be like I know it's going to be a regular offseason.'
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