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.
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Twins' David Festa: Drawing start Tuesday
Rotowire
Festa is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Mets at Citi Field.
After being roughed up for 12 earned runs in 10 innings in his first two big-league starts earlier this summer, Festa was deployed as a bulk reliever in this past Wednesday's game against the Phillies following his call-up from Triple-A St. Paul. Upon entering the game behind opening pitcher Steven Okert, Festa delivered by far his best MLB outing to date, striking out seven over four innings of relief while giving up one earned run on four hits and two walks. Despite Festa's success out of the bullpen, the Twins will give him another look in a starting role when his next turn through the rotation comes up in New York. Festa brings plenty of strikeout upside to the table, though keeping the ball in the yard has been a major issue for the 24-year-old both in the majors and minors in 2024.
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Twins' David Festa: Fans seven in relief
Rotowire
Festa racked up seven strikeouts in 4.1 innings of relief in Wednesday's win against the Phillies, allowing one earned run on four hits and two walks. He did not factor into the decision.
Called up Wednesday morning to bolster the Twins' rotation with Chris Paddack (forearm) on the injured list, Festa worked as the bulk reliever behind opener Steven Okert. The 24-year-old Festa struggled mightily in his first major-league stint, surrendering 12 earned runs with just eight strikeouts in 10 innings. Wednesday's outing was a completely different story, however, as Festa allowed just one earned run and racked up a career-best seven strikeouts against a formidable Phillies lineup. The right-hander now owns an 8.16 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 15:3 K:BB across 14.1 major-league innings. It remains to be seen when he will pitch next, but Festa made a strong case for consistent work with Wednesday's performance.
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Twins' David Festa: Called up, set for bulk relief
Rotowire
The Twins recalled Festa from Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday.
Festa started in his two appearances with the Twins earlier this season back on June 27 and July 3, giving up 12 earned runs while striking out eight batters over 10 innings. Though the Twins have an opening in the rotation for Wednesday's game against the Phillies after Chris Paddack (forearm) landed on the injured list, Festa looks set to work as a bulk reliever rather than a traditional starter, per Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Reliever Steven Okert will start the contest and likely work an inning or two before giving way to Festa, who owns a 4.06 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 93:28 K:BB over 64.1 innings at Triple-A this season.
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Twins' David Festa: Promotion imminent
Rotowire
The Twins will recall Festa from Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
The Twins will use Steven Okert as an opener for Wednesday's series finale against the Phillies, and Festa is expected to work in bulk relief once Okert is removed from the game. Doing so will allow him to avoid facing Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner and Bryce Harper to begin the game, though Festa's 10.80 ERA in the majors doesn't exactly spark confidence in his ability to handle Philadelphia's high-scoring offense at any point in the contest.
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Twins' David Festa: Moves back to minors
Rotowire
The Twins optioned Festa to Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday.
Festa will head back to the minors after a one-day stint with the Twins. He served as the club's 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader with the White Sox and went unused out of the bullpen.
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Twins' David Festa: Back up as 27th man
Rotowire
The Twins recalled Festa from Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday.
Festa will serve as the 27th man for Wednesday's doubleheader against the White Sox and will be available, if needed, in long relief. The young right-hander had previously allowed 12 runs over 10 innings in two starts for Minnesota this season.
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Twins' David Festa: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Twins optioned Festa to Triple-A St. Paul on Friday.
Festa had a rough welcoming to the majors in his first two starts, allowing 12 runs over 10 innings. The Twins will announced a corresponding move prior to Friday's game versus the Astros. Chris Paddack (arm) could be ready to rejoin the rotation next week in the spot Festa had occupied.
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Twins' David Festa: Headed to Triple-A
Rotowire
Festa was told after Thursday's game that he will be sent to Triple-A St. Paul, The Athletic reports.
Festa allowed 12 runs over his first 10 major-league innings in two starts, so this isn't a surprise. He'll likely be replaced by a relief pitcher with an official announcement before Friday's game. Chris Paddack could return Monday from the injured list in time to take back the rotation spot Festa occupied.
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Twins' David Festa: Hit around again in loss
Rotowire
Festa (1-1) took the loss Wednesday against the Tigers, allowing seven runs on nine hits and no walks. He struck out six over five innings.
Festa allowed three home runs on the day, including a grand slam to Carson Kelly in the third inning, which opened up the scoring frenzy for the Tigers. Wenceel Perez took him long in the same inning and then Riley Greene also went deep in the fifth for a two-run blast. The one encouraging stat line for Festa in this one was he had six strikeouts and no walks while piling up 13 whiffs. Still, the 24-year-old has now allowed 12 runs over his first 10 major-league innings. If he sticks around for another turn in the rotation, he'll line up to face the White Sox early next week.
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Twins' David Festa: Awarded another start
Rotowire
Festa is scheduled to start Wednesday's game against the Tigers at Target Field.
Tabbed as a replacement in the big-league rotation this past Thursday for the injured Chris Paddack (forearm), Festa surrendered five earned runs on seven hits and one walk and struck out just two batters but received enough run support to come away with a win against the Diamondbacks. Festa was cruising early in his debut and faced just one batter more than the minimum through three innings, but he began to unravel over his final two frames, when he allowed all seven of his hits. Festa may need a better showing in Minnesota against a weaker Detroit offense to ensure he gets additional turns through the rotation, as Caleb Boushley has been pitching well at Triple-A St. Paul and looms as an alternative as the Twins' No. 5 starter if Festa can't get the job done.
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Twins' David Festa: Earns win in first career start
Rotowire
Festa (1-0) allowed five runs on seven hits and one walk over five innings to earn the win Thursday against the Diamondbacks. He struck out two.
Festa's first career start began about as well as he could have possibly imagined. By the time he hit the mound in the fourth inning, he had faced just one batter over the minimum and was staked to an 11-run lead. Following a solo homer to open the fourth, Festa struck out the next two but followed up by allowing five consecutive singles and three additional earned runs. Festa then allowed one more run in the fifth as the Twins coasted to victory. It was an up-and-down debut, but Festa should continue to earn additional starting opportunities for the Twins if they continue to have a rotational need. His next chance is slated to come in the middle of next week when the Twins welcome the Tigers to Minnesota.
Twins' David Festa: Added to roster ahead of debut
Rotowire
The Twins selected Festa's contract from Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday.
Festa is set to make his major-league debut with a road start Thursday versus the Diamondbacks. The right-hander has posted a 3.77 ERA and 87:24 K:BB over 59.2 innings during his time with St. Paul this season, reaching 10 punchouts in a game on three occasions. Festa is taking the rotation spot vacated by Chris Paddack (arm) and will have the opportunity to make additional starts beyond Thursday's debut if he pitches well.
Twins' David Festa: Set to make MLB debut Thursday
Rotowire
Festa will be called up from Triple-A St. Paul to make his major-league debut Thursday in Arizona, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.
Festa is assuming the rotation spot vacated by Chris Paddack, who went on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with right arm fatigue. With Paddack slated to miss at least two turns through the rotation, Festa will have an opportunity to remain in the majors beyond Thursday's outing, although that could hinge on how his debut goes. Festa is among the minor-league leaders with 87 strikeouts this season and has also walked 24 while posting a 3.77 ERA over 59.2 innings.
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Twins' David Festa: No longer making Triple-A start
Rotowire
Festa is no longer listed as the Triple-A St. Paul's scheduled starter Wednesday, perhaps hinting that he could soon be promoted to Minnesota, Darren Wolfson of Channel 5 Saint Paul reports.
The Twins have an opening in their rotation for Thursday's game in Arizona, and Festa looks to be a leading candidate to fill the void for what would be his MLB debut. If Festa is indeed called up, he'll likely be needed for multiple starts while Chris Paddack (arm) is on the injured list. Festa holds a 3.77 ERA with an 87:24 K:BB in 59.2 innings at St. Paul this season.
