Twins' David Festa: Avoids surgery for shoulder injury
Rotowire
Festa was set to receive Botox injections Thursday to alleviate a compressed nerve between his right shoulder and neck, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
He avoided surgery for a mild version of thoracic outlet syndrome after visiting a specialist and could have a normal offseason if all goes well. Festa posted a 5.40 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 53:19 K:BB over 53.1 innings for the Twins this season. If healthy, he'll likely be in the mix for a spot in the rotation next spring.
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Twins' David Festa: Could have thoracic outlet syndrome
Rotowire
Festa was diagnosed with neurological thoracic outlet syndrome during a visit with Dr. Keith Meister in Texas this week, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Festa will receive a second opinion before a determination is made about a treatment plan, but surgery would certainly seem to be a possibility. If the pitcher does need an operation, he would be in for a lengthy rehab process that could affect his 2026 availability. Festa posted a 5.40 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 53:19 K:BB over 53.1 innings for the Twins this season.
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Twins' David Festa: Shut down for season
Rotowire
The Twins will shut down Festa (shoulder) for the remainder of the season, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Festa pitched in a rehab game at Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, striking out five batters and walking three over 2.2 shutout innings. However, he reported feeling renewed discomfort in his right shoulder afterward, so the Twins will now pivot and work to get the 25-year-old ready for next season. He'll close the book on 2025 with a 5.40 ERA and 1.28 WHIP to go with a 53:19 K:BB through 53.1 innings.
Festa (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Shoulder inflammation has kept Festa out of commission since late July, but after throwing live BP on Saturday without any issues, he's been given the green light to return to game action. Given the duration of his absence, there's a good chance the 25-year-old will require multiple rehab starts before returning from the IL, though he should still be able to make it back before the end of the regular season.
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Twins' David Festa: Set to throw batting practice
Rotowire
Festa (shoulder) will throw a live batting practice session Saturday, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
If all goes well, he could begin a rehab assignment at some point the following week. Festa went on the 15-day injured list July 23 due to right shoulder inflammation. He later received two anti-inflammatory injections in the injured shoulder.
Festa has reported improvement since landing on the injured list Wednesday after he received two anti-inflammatory injections for his right shoulder, MLB.com reports.
Festa got injections for both the front and back of his shoulder, and the shots appear to have alleviated most of the swelling that the right-hander had been experiencing. He could be ready to start throwing again in the next few days and may have a chance at returning from the 15-day injured list when first eligible Aug. 6, but Festa won't necessarily have a big-league rotation spot waiting for him once he's activated.
Twins' David Festa: Placed on IL with shoulder issue
Rotowire
The Twins placed Festa on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to right shoulder inflammation.
Festa struggled in his most recent start Monday against the Dodgers, allowing three home runs and four runs over 5.1 innings. It's not clear, however, whether his shoulder was bothering him during the outing. The right-hander will be eligible for activation Aug. 6, but the Twins won't have a clear idea regarding when he might return until he starts throwing again.
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Twins' David Festa: Trouble with long ball Monday
Rotowire
Festa (3-4) allowed four runs on four hits and a walk while striking out five over 5.1 innings to take the loss versus the Dodgers on Monday.
Festa didn't give up many hits, but three of the four knocks he allowed went over the fence. He surrendered a two-run blast to Shohei Ohtani in the first inning before Will Smith added solo shots in the fourth and sixth frames. Festa has largely avoided homer trouble this year -- he's kept the ball in the yard in six of his 11 appearances, though he's given up multiple homers three times. Overall, he's run hot and cold, posting a 5.40 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 53:19 K:BB across 53.1 innings. Festa and Zebby Matthews are likely to be in contention for one spot in the rotation once Bailey Ober (hip) returns, which could happen this week, leaving the Twins' pitching plans up in the air for their weekend home series versus the Nationals.
Twins' David Festa: Holds Cubs in check for third win
Rotowire
Festa (3-3) earned the win Wednesday against the Cubs, giving up two runs on three hits and two walks in 5.1 innings. He struck out three.
Festa held a formidable Cubs lineup to just two runs on three singles, and he was able to limit the damage during Chicago's two-run fourth frame. The 25-year-old right-hander tossed at least five innings while allowing two runs or fewer for just the third time in 10 outings this year. Festa owns a dicey 5.25 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 48:18 K:BB across 48 innings ahead of the All-Star break, but his rotation spot should remain intact for the near future with Bailey Ober (hip), Zebby Matthews (shoulder) and Pablo Lopez (shoulder) on the injured list.
Twins' David Festa: Yields four early runs in loss
Rotowire
Festa (2-3) took the loss against the Marlins on Thursday, allowing four runs on five hits and one walk while striking out seven across six innings.
Festa put the Twins behind early after yielding three runs in the first inning, highlighted by a two-run home run by Agustin Ramirez. Festa gave up another run in the third, but he settled in over his final three innings -- striking out six batters over that span -- yet didn't receive enough run support to fade the loss. He has a 7.28 ERA (in 29.2 innings) across six starts since being promoted from Triple-A St. Paul in early June, but that number is inflated by two outings in which he gave up eight runs apiece. Festa is slated to face the Cubs at home next week, which will likely be his last turn in the rotation before the All-Star break.
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