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.

Pablo López will show up to the ballpark Friday and work through his usual pre-start routine. He will play catch and throw long toss with a catcher before moving into the bullpen. He will sit down and take some sips of water until it’s time for him to run out to the Target Field mound and stare down a hitter in the batter’s box.