While the Minnesota Twins have less than one week of games left, it doesn’t mean that more bad news can’t find them. 90 losses will be achieved for the first time since 2016, and the lowest attendance since 2000 has already been recorded.
Three weeks ago David Festa was diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and his season came to an end. On Tuesday night Luke Keaschall was lifted against the Texas Rangers after an awkward slide injured his hand. Now both are hoping for some good news regarding their health going forward.
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David Festa avoids TOS surgery for Minnesota Twins
The plan of attack for Festa was to travel with the Twins to Texas and consult a specialist regarding next steps for his Thoracic Outlet Syndrome rehab. The surgery can be a death-knell to pitchers, and thankfully he has avoided that outcome.
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Audra Martin made note on the Wednesday night broadcast that trainer Nick Paparesta said botox injections can have immediate effects. If that’s the case, Festa would have quick relief and have a pretty good idea how his body will respond in the short term.
It’s a positive outcome to avoid the surgery, and that hopefully gives him a path to return for an unbothered 2026 season. Festa spent time on the injured list this season with shoulder issues, and being all systems go would be a big boost for a Twins team that will need pitching in 2026.
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Across 53 1/3 innings (11 games, 10 starts), Festa posted a 5.40 ERA (4.89 FIP). He had an identical 3.2 BB/9 from 2024, but the strikeout rate dropped from 10.8 K/9 to just 8.9. He also allowed 1.7 HR/9 as opposed to 1.3 last season.
Festa remains a question mark from a stuff perspective, but a clean bill of health would give him opportunity to earn a role during Spring Training.
MN Twins rookie Luke Keaschall could go under the knife
While Festa avoided surgery, that may not be the same plan of attack for Keaschall. After jamming his hand on a slide into second base, an MRI revealed a sprained left thumb. That could ultimately require surgery.
Similarly to prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez last season, Keaschall may spend the offseason rehabbing from hand surgery. It would be an unfortunate result from a meaningless game during the final week of the season.
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Keaschall underwent Tommy John surgery last year and has not been fully cleared to play the outfield. He also suffered a broken forearm after being hit by a pitch this year. This would be just another entry in a long line of injuries to bit him early in his career.
49 games into his big league career, Keaschall put together an impressive rookie season. He batted .302/.382/.445 with 14 doubles, four home runs, and 14 stolen bases. He looks the part of a future fixture for the Minnesota Twins, but he’ll need to remain healthy for that to materialize.
Minnesota wraps up the series with Texas on Thursday before a three-game swing out to Philadelphia puts a bow on the season.
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