Pablo Lopez is headed to the injured list for the second time this season for the Minnesota Twins. When he missed time due to a hamstring injury it was David Festa who filled in for him.

Now dealing with a grade two teres major strain — the same injury that ended Joe Ryan’s 2024 season — that will cost him two to three months, the Twins are tapping on Festa yet again.

Minnesota Twins turn to David Festa with Pablo Lopez out

Wednesday night’s St. Paul Saints starter was scratched in favor of Randy Dobnak, essentially giving away the Twins’ plans to call him up. Late this evening, the reports that Festa was in Sacramento and slotted to take over for Lopez started rolling in.

Rather than waiting for Pablo Lopez’s next turn, the Minnesota Twins will have Festa close out their 10-game road trip on Thursday against the Athletics.

He woke up to banging on his door Wednesday morning, unaware of the 45 missed calls on his phone, and David Festa’s first thought was he’d done something wrong. Instead, he discovered Minnesota Twins player development director Drew MacPhail was at the door to inform him he needed to wake up and pack for an impromptu flight to California’s capital city.

Last season Festa debuted with the Minnesota Twins as their top pitching prospect. He appeared in 14 games (13 starts) and posted a 4.90 ERA (3.76 FIP). After allowing 12 earned runs through his first two starts Festa was demoted. He returned later in June and finished with a 3.80 ERA (3.15 FIP) across his final 54 1/3 innings.

Festa is a pretty good plan b for the Twins

Festa has already filled in once for Lopez this season. In three major league starts he owns a 1.38 ERA (2.38 FIP) across 13 innings. His experience last season should serve him well in the latest call-up, and he’ll look to match production with Zebby Matthews in order to solidify Minnesota’s starting depth

Despite dealing with some arm fatigue at Triple-A this year, Festa has a 2.83 ERA in six starts (28 2/3 innings). He is a strikeout pitcher that profiles as a mid-rotation arm. The Minnesota Twins having depth on the farm like this is something that puts them in a position to withstand injuries like that of Lopez’s.

This should be a longer stay in the big leagues for Festa, assuming he produces. Lopez missed three turns with his hamstring injury. The latest lat muscle issue will cost him at least 2-3 months.