Festa is slated to start Wednesday's game against the Rangers at Target Field.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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) expected to be sidelined for eight to 12 weeks.

The Twins recalled Festa from Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Festa will take the ball Thursday versus the Athletics and could be part of the Twins rotation on a long-term basis as a replacement for the injured Pablo Lopez (shoulder). The 25-year-old Festa holds a 1.38 ERA and 15:5 K:BB across 13 frames this season at the big-league level. He threw only 66 pitches in his last start at St. Paul in what was his second outing back from arm fatigue, so his workload will be relatively limited Thursday.

The Twins are expected to recall Festa from Triple-A St. Paul to start Thursday's game against the Athletics, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Previous reports indicated Festa would join the big club for this weekend's series against Toronto as a replacement for Pablo Lopez (shoulder), but he will instead start Thursday while the rest of the rotation gets some extra rest. Festa missed a couple weeks of action in May with right arm fatigue, but he's yielded only one run with a 12:2 K:BB over 8.2 innings since returning. The righty holds a 1.38 ERA and 15:5 K:BB across 13 frames this season in the majors. With Lopez set to miss 8-to-12 weeks, Festa could remain in the Minnesota rotation indefinitely.

Festa has been scratched from his scheduled start Wednesday with Triple-A St. Paul and appears likely to enter the Twins' rotation Sunday against the Blue Jays in place of the injured Pablo Lopez (lat), Declan Goff of SKOR North reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lopez had to exit Tuesday's start against the Athletics with a right lat strain, and while he has not yet been officially placed on the 15-day injured list, the transaction is considered imminent. Festa missed some time at St. Paul in May with right arm fatigue, but he's looked strong in two starts since returning, allowing just one run with a 12:2 K:BB over 8.2 innings. The 25-year-old has also pitched well in three starts with the Twins this season, collecting a 1.38 ERA and 15:5 K:BB across 13 frames. Festa could be needed for multiple starts with the big club, pending the results of the tests on Lopez's lat.

Festa, who hadn't pitched at Triple-A St. Paul since May 6 due to right arm fatigue, gave up one run over 3.2 innings with seven strikeouts and one walk in Friday's start for the Saints.

EDGE Analysis

With both Zebby Matthews and Simeon Woods Richardson struggling in the fifth-starter role in the majors, Festa could get another shot at the big-league rotation if he can get back to full strength. The righty has pitched well both in the majors (1.38 ERA, 15:5 K:BB in 13 innings) and minors (3.60 ERA, 22:2 K:BB in 20 innings before Friday) this season.

Festa hasn't pitched at Triple-A St. Paul since May 6 due to right arm fatigue but is expected to make a start this weekend, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Festa tossed 5.2 innings of one-run ball with a 7:0 K:BB in his May 6 outing but evidently came out of the start nursing some fatigue with his pitching arm. The righty has pitched well both in the majors (1.38 ERA, 15:5 K:BB in 13 innings) and minors (3.60 ERA, 22:2 K:BB in 20 innings) this season and could push for another promotion if he shows the arm fatigue is behind him.

The Twins optioned Festa to Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

After getting called up from Triple-A on April 11, Festa didn't reach the fifth inning of any of his three starts but pitched well nonetheless, turning in a 1.38 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB across 13 frames. Though Festa has performed well enough to warrant sticking around in the big leagues, the Twins don't plan to expand their rotation to six men and won't have a starting role available for him when Pablo Lopez (hamstring) returns from the injured list this weekend. Festa will continue to stay on a starter's schedule at Triple-A and should be the next man up if an opening in the big-league rotation re-emerges at any point.

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 innings.

EDGE Analysis

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 he faced 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.

Festa came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Mets, allowing five hits and a walk over 4.1 scoreless innings. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old right-hander had an impressive, if short, performance, tossing 51 of 76 pitches for strikes before exiting the mound. Festa also got plenty of help to preserve his scoreless outing, as Harrison Bader threw a runner out at the plate in the second inning and Danny Coulombe escaped the one-out, bases-loaded jam he inherited in the fifth by getting Juan Soto to ground into a double play. Through his first two starts in the majors this season, Festa has yet to give up a run over nine innings, posting a 1.11 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB, but he also has yet to pitch the full five innings necessary to qualify for a win. If he sticks around on the big-league roster, he'll aim to give the Twins more length in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come at home next week against the White Sox.