MN Twins Change Mind on Willi Castro; Make Room for Pablo Lopez

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Willi Castro, Pablo Lopez - Minnesota Twins
Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins are on a two-game winning streak, thanks to the Chicago White Sox swinging by Target Field this week. Now 9-15, if the Twins get their sweep on Thursday, the Southsiders would officially count for exactly half (5) of their wins (10) so far this season. Life sure is good in the AL Central, eh?

Minnesota Twins roster moves: Castro –> IL | Festa –> AAA | Gasper –> MLB

Prior to the game this afternoon, Minnesota announced a couple of roster moves — 2024 MLB All-Star utility man Willi Castro is finally going on the injured list. Taking his place on the big league roster is career minor league utility man, Mickey Gasper.

Oh, and right-handed starter David Festa — who threw 84 pitches (4 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 5 SO) vs Chicago on Wednesday is being optioned to Triple A St. Paul. For now, there is no corresponding move for Festa’s demotion, but there will be soon, as the Twins are expected to activate their ace Pablo Lopez from the injured list.

The most notable piece of Thursday’s roster move announcement is Willi Castro’s new injured list designation. In hopes of a fast recovery from his oblique strain, the MN Twins kept Castro on the active roster for a full week while he was unavailable.

Because of that, they can only set his IL date back to April 21. Now, instead of 10 days without Willi Castro, the Twins will go at least two weeks without him. It’s just the latest in head-scratching injury decisions by this organization. Before his injury, Castro was batting .227 with .655 OPS and 87 OPS+.

Related: MLB Insider Names Minnesota Twins Most Likely Trade Candidate

Mickey Gasper, 29, got the second legitimate MLB opportunity of his professional baseball career early this season with the Minnesota Twins and he fumbled it, batting .111 with a brutal .384 OPS and 16 OPS+ in 18 at bats. If he can’t turn things around, he might be selling insurance by the end of the season.

Pablo Lopez ready for return to Minnesota Twins staff

Pablo Lopez is expected to pitch for the Twins on Friday, in game one of three vs the Angels. It will be nice having him back in the rotation, especially if he can return to his pre-injury form. Through his first three starts (16.2 IP), Lopez has compiled a 1.62 ERA, 1.020 WHIP (14 K, 2 BB).

While he was out, though, David Festa did a great job in his place. The two runs he allowed on Wednesday vs the White Sox were the first earned runs he’s given up all season (3 starts). Over 13 innings pitched, Festa racked up 15 strikeouts to 5 walks, posting a 1.38 ERA and 2.33 FIP in that time.

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