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• Twins' David Festa: Optioned to Triple-A

  12D ago • By RotoWire

  Festa was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports. Festa was a candidate to win a rotation spot, but struggled with an 11.94 ERA and 11: 3 K:BB in 11.1 innings this 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 with the Twins. He could join the rotation early in the season if there's an opening.

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• Twins' David Festa: Looks sharp in spring debut

  02/24/2025 • By 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.

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• Twins' David Festa: Strikes out five in no-decision

  09/27/2024 • By 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.

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• Twins' David Festa: Takes sixth loss

  09/10/2024 • By 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.

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• Twins' David Festa: Folds against Cards

  08/24/2024 • By 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.

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