The Minnesota Twins face a tough situation as starting pitcher David Festa has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to shoulder inflammation following his recent outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he gave up three home runs in just over five innings. This marks a continuation of injury issues for the Twins, as Festa joins fellow starters Pablo López and Bailey Ober on the IL. The team's pitching depth is being tested as they recall right-hander Travis Adams from St. Paul to fill the roster gap. Meanwhile, the Twins continue to bolster their roster by signing their first-round draft pick, Marek Houston, a standout shortstop from Wake Forest.

In other news, the Twins have released catcher Diego Cartaya after a disappointing performance in AAA, where he recorded just five hits in 59 at-bats. The team has also claimed catcher Jhonny Pereda off waivers, indicating ongoing efforts to refine their catching situation amid injuries. Closer Jhoan Duran has been thriving, despite any decline in velocity, showcasing the resilience of the Twins' bullpen this season.

The Minnesota Twins are gearing up for another spring training, and there are plenty of questions to address as they prepare for the new season. Catchers Christian Vázquez and Diego Cartaya have been seen stretching at Hammond Stadium, signaling that preparations are well underway. Meanwhile, the local college basketball scene is buzzing after the Gophers men’s basketball team secured a win against USC, reigniting discussions about head coach Ben Johnson's future with the team.

Fans are eagerly awaiting the Twins' first spring game, as the roster still has many uncertainties before the regular season kicks off. With the NFL and NBA seasons overlapping, viewers have been left with limited options for live sports, making the upcoming Twins games even more appealing. As the teams look to refine strategies, the focus will be on how new and returning players will gel together, especially in key positions.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have made a noteworthy trade, acquiring minor league pitcher Jose Vasquez from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for catcher Diego Cartaya. Vasquez, who boasts a 4.99 ERA, impressed during his stint in the Dominican Summer League, striking out 45 batters over 30 2/3 innings and finishing with a perfect 4-0 record.

The 20-year-old right-hander has compiled a career record of 5-2 with an 8.05 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 57 innings across two seasons in the DSL. He was originally signed by the Twins in December 2022.

On the other side of the trade, Cartaya has spent time at both Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City, playing 93 games last season. The 23-year-old Venezuelan catcher has demonstrated his power, amassing 66 home runs and 235 RBIs in a total of 363 minor league games since joining the Dodgers on a $2.5 million signing bonus in July 2018.