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.
... See More... See Less
Twins' David Festa: Gets injections for shoulder
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
Twins' David Festa: Bounces back in second win
Rotowire
Festa (2-2) earned the win Friday against the Tigers, giving up two hits in 5.2 scoreless innings. He struck out six without walking a batter.
It was an encouraging performance by the 28-year-old right-hander, who was peppered for eight runs on 12 hits his last time out. Friday marked the first time this year that he didn't issue a free pass, and it was also Festa's first scoreless outing of at least five frames so far. Festa will aim to build on this showing in his next scheduled appearance against the Marlins, as he still holds a rough 5.40 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 38:15 K:BB over 36.2 innings.
... See More... See Less
Twins' David Festa: Not starting, could follow opener
Rotowire
Festa won't start Sunday's game against the Brewers but could pitch behind opening pitcher Danny Coulombe, Audra Martin of Fanduel Sports Network North reports.
Festa was initially penciled in to start Sunday and hasn't been reported to be dealing with an injury, so he's the likely candidate to work in a bulk-relief role. The right-hander has worked as a traditional starter in his six previous MLB outings this season and has posted a 4.78 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 29:12 K:BB across 26.1 innings.
... See More... See Less
Twins' David Festa: Yanked in fourth inning
Rotowire
Festa didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against the Reds, allowing four runs (two earned) on two hits and three walks with four strikeouts over 3.2 innings.
Festa joined the Minnesota rotation in early June after Pablo Lopez (shoulder) was placed on the injured list. Festa has failed to complete four innings in two of three starts since and has allowed 12 earned runs with a 14:7 K:BB spanning 13.1 innings. In six starts this season, he has a 4.78 ERA in 26.1 innings. He's scheduled to make another turn in the rotation Sunday against Milwaukee.
... See More... See Less
Twins' David Festa: Gets into win column Wednesday
Rotowire
Festa (1-1) earned the win over Texas on Wednesday, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out four batters over six innings.
Festa finally picked up a victory in his fifth start of the season and also notched his first quality start. In fact, Wednesday marked the first time over his five outings that the right-hander has completed more than 4.2 frames. It was certainly a promising turnaround after Festa surrendered eight runs across 3.2 innings against the A's in his previous start. Festa has an opportunity to lock down a rotation spot with Pablo Lopez (shoulder) and Zebby Matthews (shoulder) both out for an extended period, and Festa's performance Wednesday could go a long way toward achieving that goal. He'll try to take another positive step the next time he takes the mound, which tentatively lines up to be on the road against Cincinnati.
... See More... See Less
Twins' David Festa: Remaining in rotation
Rotowire
Festa is slated to start Wednesday's game against the Rangers at Target Field.
Despite getting roughed up for eight earned runs over 3.2 innings in his start against the Athletics last Thursday after being called up from Triple-A St. Paul, Festa will receive at least one more chance to prove he belongs in the rotation. With Zebby Matthews (shoulder) recently joining Pablo Lopez (lat) on the injured list, Festa has a fairly clear runway to make additional starts with the big club if he can avoid further blowups.
... See More... See Less
Twins' David Festa: Tagged for eight runs in loss
Rotowire
Festa (0-1) took the loss Thursday against the A's, allowing eight runs on six hits and two walks over 3.2 innings. He struck out six.
It was a rough day for Festa, who was recalled from Triple-A ahead of the game to make his first start with the Twins since April 23. The right-hander gave up four runs in the opening inning, with three coming on a Max Muncy homer, before Festa gave up three more runs on a pair of long balls in the third. The 25-year-old Festa sports a 5.40 ERA through four major-league starts (16.2 innings) this season with a 1.50 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB. Despite his struggles Thursday, Festa could get another look in Minnesota's rotation with Pablo Lopez (shoulder) facing an extended absence.
... See More... See Less
Twins' David Festa: Punches out five in no-decision
Rotowire
Festa did not factor into the decision in Wednesday's win over the White Sox. He allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five across four-plus innings.
Festa was able to get through the first four innings with relative ease, but he was pulled in the fifth frame after putting the first two batters on base, both of which came around to score. He tossed 80 pitches (52 strikes) with 13 first-pitch strikes, and he has steadily increased his pitch count in his three starts since being recalled from Triple-A St. Paul on April 11. Festa will likely return the minors as Pablo Lopez (hamstring) is set to return during the Twins' weekend series against the Angels.
... See More... See Less
Twins' David Festa: Getting another start
Rotowire
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said Sunday that Festa will start Wednesday against the Mets, Phil Miller of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Festa was called up from Triple-A St. Paul to start Friday with Pablo Lopez (hamstring) on the injured list. He performed well, allowing one unearned run in 4.2 innings with four strikeouts in a no-decision against the Tigers. The Twins had said they planned to give two starters extra rest this week ahead of a long stretch of consecutive games, so Festa could be in line for just one more start in the majors before returning to Triple-A. However, with the Twins possibly shaking up the roster after a sluggish start to the season, it's possible the right-hander could remain in the majors with another strong outing.
... See More... See Less
Twins' David Festa: Fine work in no-decision
Rotowire
Festa allowed an unearned run on three hits and a walk while striking out four over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Tigers on Friday.
Festa threw 41 of 64 pitches for strikes in his first major-league outing of the season. He came up short of having a chance at the win, though the Twins' bullpen blew the lead in the sixth inning anyway. The 25-year-old right-hander pitched to a 4.90 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 77:23 K:BB over 64.1 innings in 2024, starting in 13 of his 14 appearances last year. Festa has a chance to stick in the rotation while Pablo Lopez (hamstring) is out and would line up for a tough home matchup versus the Mets next week -- that is, unless the Twins add Zebby Matthews and move to a six-man rotation, in which case Festa would face Atlanta on the road.
... See More... See Less
Twins' David Festa: Recalled from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Twins recalled Festa from Triple-A St. Paul on Friday.
Minnesota placed Pablo Lopez (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Festa is expected to make the start Friday against the Tigers. In two starts at the Triple-A level this season, the right-hander has an 8:2 K:BB and 5.40 ERA across 8.1 innings. He made 14 regular-season appearances (13 starts) for the Twins last season, turning in a 4.90 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 77:23 K:BB in 64.1 innings of work.
... See More... See Less
Twins' David Festa: Expected to start Friday vs Detroit
Rotowire
The Twins are expected to promote Festa from Triple-A St. Paul to start Friday's game against the Tigers, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
The Twins have an opening in their rotation with Pablo Lopez (hamstring) expected to land on the 15-day injured list. Lopez's next turn would have come Sunday, but the club is electing to bring Festa up Friday and push Chris Paddack and Simeon Woods Richardson each back a day. Festa has permitted six runs (five earned) with an 8:2 K:BB over 8.1 innings in his first two starts with St. Paul this season. He's a candidate to receive additional starts while Lopez is out, although the Twins could also give Zebby Matthews a look.
... See More... See Less
Twins' David Festa: Looks sharp in spring debut
Rotowire
Festa threw two scoreless innings Sunday against Pittsburgh with two strikeouts and no walks in his spring debut. He pitched exclusively out of the stretch, which he plans to do this season, MLB.com reports. He also debuted a new sinker during the outing.
Festa is competing with Chris Paddack, Simeon Woods Richardson and Zebby Matthews for the final two spots in the rotation. Paddack and Woods Richardson are the favorites, but Festa could force his way into the rotation with a strong spring. Festa showed promise last season with a 10.8 K/9 and 12.7 percent swinging strike rate, but he recorded a 4.40 ERA (though a 3.75 FIP) in 14 games.
... See More... See Less
Twins' David Festa: Strikes out five in no-decision
Rotowire
Festa did not factor into the decision in an extra-innings loss to the Marlins on Thursday, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and one walk over 4.1 innings. He struck out five.
Festa got tagged for a run in the first inning after issuing a leadoff walk to open the frame and then surrendering an RBI double to Jake Burger two batters later. The right-hander then went on to retire nine of the next 10 batters he faced before allowing four of the first five batters to reach in the fifth, leading to his early departure. Festa has failed to make it through five frames in three of his last four outings, allowing multiple runs three times over that span. He carries a 4.91 ERA in September and hasn't won a start since Aug. 5 against the Cubs, a span of nine starts.
... See More... See Less
Twins' David Festa: Takes sixth loss
Rotowire
Festa (2-6) allowed four runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four batters over four innings in a loss to the Angels on Monday.
Festa fell behind quickly in the contest, giving up a pair of runs on a walk and two hits in the first inning. The other two runs he allowed came on a two-run Brandon Drury homer in the third frame. The rookie right-hander has lost each of his past four starts, though this was the first time in that span that he's given up more than three runs. Despite going 1-5 since the All-Star break, Festa has been fairly effective, posting a 3.70 ERA and 54:15 K:BB over 41.1 innings.
... See More... See Less
Twins' David Festa: Folds against Cards
Rotowire
Festa (2-3) took the loss Friday, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks over 3.2 innings as the Twins fell 6-1 to the Cardinals. He struck out five.
The rookie right-hander tossed an inefficient 75 pitches (45 strikes) as he saw another early exit. The Twins are being cautious with Festa and the 24-year-old has yet to pitch more than five innings in any of his first eight big-league appearances (seven starts), but that babying hasn't led to impressive numbers. Through 36.1 innings, he's served up seven homers and been saddled with a 5.20 ERA and 1.32 WHIP, despite a 44:11 K:BB that highlights his potential. Festa will try to keep the ball in the yard in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against Atlanta.
... See More... See Less
Twins' David Festa: Gets no help in loss
Rotowire
Festa (1-2) took the loss Tuesday as the Twins were downed 2-0 by the Mets, giving up two runs on three hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out six.
The rookie right-hander put together his best performance so far in the majors, tossing 44 of 68 pitches for strikes, but Minnesota managed only two hits in support of him. Festa has allowed just three runs in 9.1 innings since returning to the 26-man roster last week, but he continues to have trouble keeping the ball in the yard -- a solo shot by Mark Vientos in the fifth inning Tuesday was the sixth homer Festa has served up in 19.1 big-league frames. With the Twins having failed to add any rotation help at the trade deadline, his spot seems fairly secure for the moment, and Festa lines up to make his next start on the road early next week against the Cubs.
