The Minnesota Twins have optioned right-handed pitcher David Festa to Triple-A St. Paul. Festa was promoted to the majors to fill Pablo Lopez's rotation spot. However, with Lopez set to return to action this weekend, Festa will return to the top level of the minor leagues. Through three starts this season (13 innings), Festa held a 1.38 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP. During this minor stint, Festa struck out 15 batters and served up five walks. Last summer, the Seton Hall product made his MLB debut and posted a modest 4.90 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP across 64 1/3 innings of work. Fantasy managers should expect Festa to return to the big leagues when Minnesota needs additional depth in its rotation. However, given his modest showing, he is only worth holding onto in deeper AL-only redraft formats.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher David Festa is expected to make another start on Wednesday against the New York Mets. With Pablo Lopez (hamstring) hitting the 15-day injured list, the Twins promoted Festa from Triple-A St. Paul to fill his spot in the rotation. Festa performed well in his season debut on Friday against the Detroit Tigers as he tossed four 2/3 innings of one-run ball (unearned run). He allowed three hits and held a 1:4 BB:K. Earlier in the season at Triple-A, Festa logged eight 1/3 innings and posted a modest 5.40 ERA with a 1.85 WHIP. Last season, Festa made his MLB debut and flashed decent upside at times as he posted a 4.90 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP across 64 1/3 innings. He struck out 77 batters and allowed 23 free passes. If Festa were to struggle during his stint in the majors, fellow young right-hander Zebby Matthews could be in the mix to join the Minnesota rotation. For now, Festa is worth adding in all 12+ team formats given his strikeout upside.

The Minnesota Twins have promoted right-handed pitcher David Festa from Triple-A St. Paul to Minnesota on Friday. In a corresponding move, the Twins placed right-handed pitcher Pablo Lopez (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list. Festa made his MLB debut last summer and logged 64 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old held a modest 4.50 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP. However, he posted an impressive 27.8 percent strikeout rate while generating whiffs at a 28.4 percent rate. He also showed improvement in the second half as he held a 3.13 ERA with a 1.04 WHIP across 23 innings in August. Through his first eight 1/3 innings with St. Paul this season, Festa has allowed six hits and five earned runs. However, that should not deter fantasy managers in 12+ team formats from adding him off the waiver wire. He is slated to start Friday evening against the Detroit Tigers.

Minnesota Twins right-handed pitcher David Festa is expected to be promoted to the major leagues to start Friday's contest against the Detroit Tigers. Festa was expected to get the start that evening for Triple-A St. Paul, but is expected to return to the big leagues to fill the open spot in the rotation. Pablo Lopez (hamstring) was diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain on Wednesday and will likely land on the 15-day IL, which would open a spot on the roster for Festa. As a result, this will push Chris Paddack's and Simeon Woods Richardson's starts back to Saturday and Sunday. Festa saw time in the majors last season and held a 4.90 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP across 64 1/3 innings of work. Through his first eight 1/3 innings of Triple-A ball this season, he has struck out eight batters and allowed five runs. He is worth adding in all 15+ team formats.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher David Festa tossed five shutout innings in his first Triple-A start of the campaign. He allowed just three hits and tallied four punchouts. Festa was competing for a spot in the Opening Day rotation but fell short. In spring training, Festa struggled as he posted a high 11.91 ERA with a 1.94 WHIP across 11 1/3 innings of work. However, the Seton Hall product was able to get himself back on track on Friday evening. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should continue to monitor his status at Triple-A, as he could eventually work his way back to the major leagues. He made his MLB debut last summer and posted a 4.90 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP. Across 60 1/3 innings with Triple-A St. Paul last summer, Festa held a 4.03 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. For now, Simeon Woods Richardson will operate as the No. 5 starter in Minnesota.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher David Festa was sent to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday. The young right-hander was competing for the final spot in the rotation but fell short. As a result, he will open the season at the top level of the minor leagues. Last summer, Festa made his MLB debut and logged 64 1/3 innings to the tune of a 4.90 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP. He tallied 77 strikeouts and served up 23 free passes. He generated a modest 4.14 xERA and a .240 xBA. During spring training, he held a high 11.91 ERA with a 1.94 WHIP across 11 1/3 innings of work. Festa flashed impressive strikeout upside at Triple-A last season as he tallied 89 punchouts across 60 1/3 innings of work. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress at Triple-A as he should contend for an early return. With Festa opening the season at Triple-A, Chris Paddack and Simeon Woods Richardson will operate as the No. 4 and No. 5 starters.

Minnesota Twins rookie starting pitcher David Festa improved to 2-2 in Monday's 3-0 win over the Cubs. Festa pitched five innings, allowing just two hits and two walks with nine strikeouts. The 24-year-old has made five appearances with the Twins this season, four of them starts and owns a 5.55 ERA with an 11.10 K/9 rate and a 2.22 BB/9 rate in 24 1/3 IP. Festa is the Twins' top pitching prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and showed high strikeout potential with Triple-A St. Paul, although he did struggle a bit with home runs. Both his strikeout upside and HR issues have carried over in his limited big-league sample size. His next start is scheduled to be a tough one against the Guardians. Fantasy managers may want to consider sitting him if they can.

Minnesota Twins pitching prospect David Festa was recalled by the major-league club on Wednesday. The Twins' No. 4 prospect, Festa made two starts with Minnesota this season with a 1-1 record and 10.80 ERA and 1.70 WHIP. At Triple-A St. Paul this season, the right-hander has a 4.03 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with 89 strikeouts in 60 1/3 innings pitched. Festa will get another shot to prove himself in the major leagues. At 6-foot-6, Festa has a good mound presence with a plus fastball. His strikeout rate in the minors is promising, but his rough starts with the Twins are concerning. It might be worth seeing some results before adding him in fantasy leagues.