Twins Pitching Update: Ober Nears Return, Festa Faces Shoulder Recovery
The Minnesota Twins are navigating a crucial period for their pitching staff, with updates on both Bailey Ober‘s recovery from a hip impingement and the concerning shoulder issue sidelining rookie David Festa. Here’s a complete breakdown of the latest developments, potential timelines, and what it means for your Twins as they push toward the postseason.
Bailey Ober: On the Verge of a Return?
Right-handed pitcher Bailey Ober appears poised to rejoin the Twins’ rotation after a triumphant rehab assignment with the St. Paul Saints. He’s been sidelined since june 29th due to pain in his left hip.
Ober has made two starts for the Saints, allowing just one run across nine innings. He reported feeling healthy for the first time “in a while” after his most recent outing on Friday against the Boston Red Sox’s Triple-A affiliate.
“I’m assuming probably, maybe, my next outing,” Ober stated, hinting at a potential return during the Twins’ upcoming series. He threw five innings in his latest rehab start, a strong indicator of his progress.
Manager Rocco Baldelli confirmed conversations with Ober but indicated no immediate decision has been made. The Twins currently have openings in their rotation for their next series against the Red Sox and the following series at Houston, creating a clear opportunity for Ober’s return.
Ober’s Season to Date:
Record: 4-6
ERA: 5.28
innings Pitched: 92
Hits Allowed: 108
Home Runs Allowed: 21
David Festa’s Shoulder impingement: A Setback for the Young Arm
Unfortunately, the news isn’t as positive for Festa. The young right-hander, who has shown promise in his rookie season, has been diagnosed with a shoulder impingement.An MRI revealed inflammation in both the front and back of his shoulder, requiring two cortisone shots on Friday. While the imaging thankfully showed no structural damage,Festa will be sidelined for an undetermined period.
“I love to compete, so I’m pretty bummed right now,” Festa admitted. He acknowledged he hadn’t been at 100% even while pitching effectively.Festa’s 2025 Stats (Twins):
Record: 3-4
ERA: 5.40
Innings Pitched: 53
Strikeouts: 53
Festa’s proactive approach to addressing the issue is commendable. He recognized limitations in his performance and spoke up, prioritizing his long-term health. This is a crucial step for a young pitcher navigating the demands of a major league season.
Roster Moves & Other Updates
In other twins news:
Ryan Jeffers (Catcher): Placed on the paternity list as he and his wife, Lexi, await the arrival of their baby.* Mickey Gasper (Infielder): Recalled from St. Paul to serve as the backup catcher during Jeffers’ absence.
The Twins are carefully managing their pitching resources. Ober’s potential return provides a importent boost, while Festa’s injury underscores the importance of player health and proactive communication. You can expect further updates as the Twins navigate these challenges and solidify their plans for the remainder of the season.
Originally Published: July 26,2025 at 6:42 PM CDT