7 Shocking Facts About Jorge López: The All-Star Pitcher’s Tumultuous Journey Since The Twins Trade

The name Jorge López has dominated baseball headlines in the last year, but not always for his on-field performance. While the search term "Jorge Lopez twins" is a direct reference to his time with the Minnesota Twins, the real story is a complex, emotionally charged narrative involving a stunning All-Star season, a crucial trade, a battle with mental health, and a controversial, career-altering meltdown in May 2024. The latest updates, as of December 15, 2025, show the talented right-hander is currently a free agent, seeking a fresh start after being released by the New York Mets following a highly publicized incident involving a thrown glove and confusing post-game comments. The journey of Jorge Yabiel López Ramos, nicknamed "El Pichu," is a compelling case study of the immense pressure facing professional athletes, especially those dealing with significant personal challenges like his son's severe health issues. From his 2022 All-Star peak with the Baltimore Orioles to his tumultuous final days with the Mets, the pitcher's career has been a rollercoaster of high-velocity pitches and high-stakes drama that has captivated and concerned fans across Major League Baseball.

The Complete Biography and Career Timeline of Jorge López

Jorge Yabiel López Ramos is a Puerto Rican professional baseball pitcher whose career has been defined by both flashes of brilliance and periods of intense personal and professional struggle. His journey through the Major Leagues has seen him wear the jerseys of six different teams, transitioning from a starting pitcher to a high-leverage reliever and All-Star closer.

• Full Name: Jorge Yabiel López Ramos
• Nickname: El Pichu
• Born: February 10, 1993, in Caguas, Puerto Rico
• Age: 32 (as of December 2025)
• Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
• Weight: 200 lb (91 kg)
• Position: Pitcher (Right-Handed)
• MLB Draft: 2011, Milwaukee Brewers, Round 2, 70th overall pick
• Major League Debut: September 29, 2015, with the Milwaukee Brewers
• WBC Participation: Played for Puerto Rico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
• All-Star Selection: 2022, representing the Baltimore Orioles.
• MLB Teams: Milwaukee Brewers (2015–2018), Kansas City Royals (2018–2020), Baltimore Orioles (2020–2022), Minnesota Twins (2022–2023), Miami Marlins (2023), New York Mets (2024).
• Current Status: Free Agent (released by the Mets in May 2024).

The Minnesota Twins Trade That Defined His Career

The core of the search query "Jorge Lopez twins" stems from the high-profile trade that sent him from the Baltimore Orioles to the Minnesota Twins in August 2022.

The trade was a pivotal moment in López’s career. He was having a breakout, All-Star season with the Orioles, posting a stellar 1.68 ERA and 19 saves in 44 appearances.

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The Twins, in a push for the American League Central division title, acquired him to be their closer. However, the move proved to be a turning point for the worse. After the trade, López struggled significantly, with his ERA ballooning to 4.37 in his time with the Twins.

His struggles in Minnesota were not purely mechanical; they were compounded by immense personal stress. In 2023, the Twins placed him on the 15-day Injured List (IL) for mental health reasons, a move that highlighted the growing recognition of mental health challenges in Major League Baseball.

The pressure of living up to the trade expectations, combined with severe off-field worries, contributed to a decline in performance that ultimately led to his trade to the Miami Marlins in July 2023 for reliever Dylan Floro, ending his short but impactful tenure with the Twins organization.

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The Heartbreaking Personal Battle: His Son’s Autoimmune Disease

To truly understand the emotional volatility that has marked López’s career, one must look to his family life. His son, Mikael, has faced a life-threatening health battle since birth, suffering from multiple severe autoimmune diseases.

López has been open about the stress this has placed on him. He has described his son as his "source of motivation," but the constant worry about Mikael’s condition—which requires frequent hospitalizations and complex medical care—has been a crushing weight.

He once stated that on days when his son's health issues "reared their ugly head," he was not the best version of himself on the field. This context is crucial for understanding the emotional toll of his professional life.

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The decision by the Minnesota Twins to place him on the IL for mental health in 2023 was a direct acknowledgment of the pressure he was under, demonstrating a compassionate approach to an issue that is often stigmatized in professional sports.

The Controversial Mets Meltdown and Immediate Release

The most recent and shocking chapter of López’s career came in May 2024 while pitching for the New York Mets at Citi Field.

The incident occurred after he gave up a home run to the Los Angeles Dodgers, leading to his ejection by third-base umpire Ramon DeJesus for arguing a check swing.

As he walked off the field, López, visibly frustrated, flung his glove high into the stands, a gesture that immediately drew criticism and condemnation.

The controversy escalated in the post-game interview. When asked about the incident, López made confusing comments, which were widely interpreted as him calling the Mets "the worst team in the whole f** MLB." While he later clarified that he meant to say he was the "worst teammate" due to a language barrier, the damage was done.

Within hours, the Mets designated López for assignment, effectively ending his tenure with the team. The organization cited his "unacceptable" conduct, emphasizing that the glove-throwing incident and the subsequent comments were grounds for his immediate dismissal.

He later posted a full statement on Instagram, apologizing to his teammates, coaches, fans, and the front office, explaining that his actions were a result of his intense frustration and personal struggles.

What’s Next for Jorge López?

Following his release from the New York Mets, Jorge López cleared waivers and became a free agent.

Despite the recent controversy and his struggles since his All-Star season, López is a talented pitcher with a high-velocity arm and a proven ability to close games, as demonstrated during his time with the Baltimore Orioles.

His career is now at a crossroads. Any team signing him will need to weigh his high potential against his history of on-field volatility and mental health challenges. The emphasis on supporting player well-being in the league suggests that a team willing to provide a strong support system could benefit from his talent.

The story of "El Pichu" remains one of the most compelling narratives in modern baseball—a talented athlete navigating the intense demands of the MLB while fighting a deeply personal battle for his family. His next chapter, whether in the Major Leagues or elsewhere, will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.