David Festa's Season Officially Ends as Twins Pitcher Set for Two Surgeries

The Minnesota Twins received official confirmation on one of the organization's longest-running injury situations Wednesday. Right-hander David Festa will undergo two separate surgeries on Thursday, bringing an end to any possibility of a return during the 2026 season.

According to Dan Hayes of The Athletic, Festa will have a procedure to correct a shoulder impingement while also undergoing surgery to treat neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome, a condition caused by compressed nerves between the neck and shoulder.

General manager Jeremy Zoll hinted last week that Festa was unlikely to pitch again this season. These operations make that outcome official and shift the focus toward getting the 26-year-old healthy for 2027.

A Seemingly Endless Injury Journey

Festa's shoulder troubles are nothing new. What initially appeared to be a manageable issue has lingered for nearly two years, preventing him from building any momentum.

The Twins first sought answers last September when Festa met with a thoracic outlet specialist. Doctors determined that a compressed nerve was contributing to his discomfort, though surgery wasn't recommended at the time. Instead, he attempted to rehab the issue.

Unfortunately, the symptoms resurfaced during Spring Training, preventing Festa from getting through his normal throwing program. He has remained on the 60-day injured list throughout the season and hasn't appeared in a regular-season game since last July.

A Promising Arm Looking for a Fresh Start

Before the injuries piled up, Festa was viewed as one of Minnesota's top pitching prospects. The former Seton Hall standout reached the majors in 2024 and flashed the swing-and-miss arsenal that made him such an intriguing prospect.

Across 25 big-league appearances, Festa owns a 5.12 ERA over 117 2/3 innings. His ability to generate strikeouts has remained encouraging (25.7 K%), and his walk rate (8.3 BB%) has generally been under control. The biggest obstacle has been limiting home runs (1.45 HR/9), which have inflated his results despite otherwise solid underlying numbers.

With two surgeries now scheduled, the Twins will be hoping this finally addresses the physical issues that have stalled his development.

What Comes Next

Because Festa has spent the entire season on the 60-day injured list, Minnesota will need to make a decision on his roster status once the offseason begins. The club will either have to restore him to the 40-man roster or expose him to waivers.

Given Festa's age, prospect pedigree, and the flashes he has shown when healthy, it would be surprising if the Twins moved on. The more likely scenario is that they keep him on the roster while he continues his recovery, hoping the surgeries allow him to return at full strength for the 2027 season.