Matt Festa
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MLB Player Data
DateNewsComment
May 2 2025The Guardians selected Festa's contract from Triple-A Columbus on Friday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Guardians acquired Festa via trade earlier this week and have now added him to their big-league bullpen. Festa has been dominant at the Triple-A level this season, tossing 14.2 scoreless innings with a 20:7 K:BB.
Jan 28 2025The Cubs designated Festa for assignment Tuesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Ryan Pressly. It's the second time this month that Festa has been designated for assignment, as he was acquired from the Rangers in early January after being booted from their 40-man roster. He posted a 5.70 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 23.2 innings between the Mets and Rangers in 2024.
Jan 9 2025The Rangers traded Festa to the Cubs on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Festa was pushed off the Rangers' 40-man roster Monday to make room for new acquisition Chris Martin, but will reclaim a 40-man spot upon moving to Chicago. The 31-year-old righty finished 2024 with a 5.70 ERA and 1.23 WHIP across 23.2 total innings between the Mets and Rangers, and he'll now attempt to make the Cubs' bullpen as a low-leverage arm during spring training. Miles Mastrobuoni was DFA'd in a corresponding move.
Jan 6 2025Festa was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Monday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Festa has been booted from the 40-man roster to make room for the acquisition of Chris Martin. Festa has pitched in the big leagues in each of the last three seasons, though it's unclear if he'll draw much interest on waivers after posting a 5.70 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over 23.2 innings across stops with the Rangers and Mets a season ago.
Aug 11 2024The Rangers selected Festa's contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He'll join the big-league bullpen as a replacement for right-hander Josh Sborz, who was placed on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder fatigue. After signing a minor-league contract with the Rangers in July, Festa made six appearances for Round Rock and gave up one earned run on six hits and three walks while striking out 13 batters over 8.2 innings.
Jul 5 2024Festa elected free agency Friday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Festa was designated for assignment by the Mets on Wednesday and will try his luck on the open market. The 31-year-old pitched only one inning with New York and allowed four runs. However, he has a solid track record in the majors and should garner some interest in free agency.
Jul 3 2024The Mets designated Festa for assignment Wednesday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Festa was roughed up for five runs (four earned) over one inning in his lone appearance with the Mets. He's clearing out to make room on the roster for Christian Scott, who will start Wednesday's game versus the Nationals.
Jul 1 2024Festa (0-1) took the loss Sunday against the Astros, coughing up five runs (four earned) on four hits and a walk in the 11th inning. He struck out one. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The former Mariner was called up earlier in the day to give the Mets' beleaguered bullpen a fresh arm, and Festa was immediately pressed into service when the game went into extras. After intentionally walking Yordan Alvarez, he gave up three straight singles before Trey Cabbage ripped a two-out, two-run double to seal the win for Houston. With no day off Monday for New York, Festa is likely to be jettisoned from the 26-man roster in short order to make room for more relief reinforcements.
Jun 30 2024The Mets selected Festa's contract from Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Festa joined the Mets on a minor-league contract in May after being released from his minors deal with the Padres. The right-hander will receive a look in the big leagues after he posted a 1.76 ERA in 11 outings with Syracuse.
May 20 2024The Mets signed Festa to a minor-league contract Sunday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Festa was released by the Padres last week after posting a 4.50 ERA and 16:7 K:BB over 16 innings with Triple-A El Paso. He's landed on his feet quickly and will head to Triple-A Syracuse for now, where he will give the Mets some veteran relief depth.
Jan 27 2024Festa signed a minor-league contract with the Padres on Friday and received an invitation to major-league spring training. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Festa pitched in parts of four seasons for the Mariners before being DFA'd in August, accumulating a 4.32 career ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 93.2 total innings. He'll get a chance to make the Padres' Opening Day roster, though his role likely caps out as a middle reliever.
Aug 8 2023Festa was designated for assignment by the Mariners on Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: This move clears out a 40-man roster spot for Ryan Jensen, who has been claimed off waivers from the Cubs. Festa, 30, had allowed four earned runs on four hits and 12 walks in just nine major-league innings this year.
Jul 16 2023The Mariners optioned Festa to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With Bryce Miller (finger) returning from the injured list to start Sunday, Festa will serve as the Mariners' roster casualty. The 30-year-old righty made two appearances during his latest major-league stint, throwing 2.1 scoreless frames while giving up one hit and striking out three.
Jul 3 2023Festa was called up to the Mariners from Triple-A Tacoma on Monday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Festa is assuming the roster and bullpen spot vacated by Trevor Gott, who was traded to the Mets. The right-handed Festa holds a 5.40 ERA over six relief appearances in the majors in 2023.
Jun 9 2023The Mariners optioned Festa to Triple-A Tacoma on Friday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Festa made three appearances after being recalled from Tacoma at the end of May, throwing 3.1 hitless innings while striking out five batters and walking three. Despite his impressive stretch, he will head back to Triple-A as Penn Murfee (elbow) returns from the 15-day IL.
May 31 2023Seattle recalled Festa from Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Festa excelled with Tacoma after being demoted early in April by the Mariners with a 0.43 ERA and a 16:10 K:BB over 21 innings. The right-hander was a big part of the Seattle bullpen in 2022, but struggled in the early going of the season with a 10.80 ERA (four runs in 3.1 innings). He should be a middle-inning option for Seattle while he's with the club. Darren McCaughan was optioned to Triple-A to open room on the roster for Festa.
Mar 13 2023Festa has fired two perfect innings during which he's recorded two strikeouts across two Cactus League appearances this spring. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 30-year-old right-hander logged a career-high 54 innings across 53 appearances in 2022, posting a 2-0 record, two saves, six holds, 4.17 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. Festa produced an impressive 10.7 K/9 along the way and was involved in high-leverage work at times, but he's likely ticketed for more of a sixth- and seventh-inning role in 2023 as long as there aren't a rash of injuries in front of him.
Aug 20 2022Festa has not seen a save opportunity since July 30 and has a 2.70 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and four strikeouts in 6.2 innings in August. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He had a run of high-leverage usage in late July, but is firmly in the middle-relief mix now with Seattle. Paul Sewald and Andres Munoz are the top Mariners relievers to roster in fantasy.
Jul 27 2022Festa allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Wednesday against the Rangers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Festa tallied his second save of the season, both of which have come since July 16. Paul Sewald pitched on consecutive days so likely wasn't available and Erik Swanson was used in the eighth inning, opening the door for Festa. However, each of Sewald, Swanson and Diego Castillo has picked up saves since July 13, so it's difficult to pinpoint the current occupant of the closer role in Seattle.
Jul 17 2022Festa pitched a perfect 10th inning with three strikeouts to earn the save in a 3-2 win over the Rangers on Saturday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Festa earned his first career save in dramatic fashion by striking out the side to protect a one-run lead with the automatic runner in scoring position in the bottom of the 10th inning. The Mariners' main options for saves -- Paul Sewald and Diego Castillo -- had already pitched earlier in the game, so manager Scott Servais turned to the 29-year-old Festa to close the door. Look for Festa to return to a middle-relief role unless something changes in the Mariners bullpen.
Jul 15 2022Festa (2-0) recorded the win in a victory over the Rangers on Thursday, firing a perfect seventh inning during which he recorded two strikeouts. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After mowing through the Rangers on 13 pitches during his one frame, Festa was rewarded for his stellar showing when the Mariners completed a comeback from a 5-1 deficit in the top half of the eighth inning. The right-hander has now posted seven consecutive relief appearances without yielding an earned run, lowering his ERA from 5.51 to 3.97 in that span.
Jul 11 2022Festa (1-0) recorded the win over the Blue Jays on Sunday, firing a perfect eighth inning in which he recorded a strikeout. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The right-hander threw eight of his 10 pitches for strikes during his one frame, which marked his first majors appearance since June 16. Festa now has six straight scoreless efforts at the big-league level, a span in which he's also generated a 7:2 K:BB across five innings and allowed only two hits.
Jul 9 2022Festa was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Festa owns a mediocre 4.35 ERA in 20.2 major-league innings this season, though his combination of an excellent 35.6 percent strikeout rate and league-average 8.0 percent walk rate could lead to better results in the future. He and Matt Brash were recalled Saturday to take the places of Ken Giles (shoulder) and Erik Swanson, who landed on the injured list and paternity list, respectively.
Jun 14 2022Festa, who fired a scoreless ninth inning during which he issued a walk and recorded two strikeouts in a loss to the Twins on Monday, has now generated seven scoreless efforts in eight appearances since coming off the injured list May 20. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The one exception during that stint saw Festa allow three earned runs over one-third of an inning against the Orioles on June 2, but otherwise, the right-hander appears to have hit his stride. Festa's 4.82 ERA still has room for improvement, but his elite 37.2 percent strikeout rate gives him some solid upside and the potential to carve out a higher-leverage role over time.
May 23 2022Festa fired a perfect eighth inning in an extra-inning loss to the Red Sox on Sunday, recording a pair of strikeouts. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Festa had last seen game action May 3 due to his stint on the injured list because of an elbow issue. The fact he got through his one frame unscathed and threw 11 of 15 pitches for strikes seems to corroborate a full return to health.
May 20 2022Festa (elbow) was activated from the 15-day injured list Friday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Festa landed on the shelf with right elbow tendinitis May 5 and will rejoin the active roster after being sidelined for the 15-day minimum. The right-hander has made 11 appearances of the bullpen for Seattle this season and has a 5.25 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 20:5 K:BB over 12 innings.
May 17 2022Festa (elbow) is nearing a rehab assignment, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Festa has been out for nearly two weeks with right elbow tendinitis. He'll be eligible to return Wednesday, and while the fact that he's expected to require a rehab assignment means he'll wind up missing more than the minimum, he shouldn't miss that date by a large margin.
May 5 2022The Mariners placed Festa on the 15-day injured list Thursday with right elbow tendinitis. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Festa presumably picked up the injury following his most recent relief appearance against the Astros on Tuesday, when he gave up a home run for the third consecutive outing. With 20 punchouts in 12 innings this season, Festa has made bats miss at a prolific rate, but an inability to keep the ball in the yard -- he's allowed five home runs -- has made his ratios toxic (5.25 ERA, 1.42 WHIP).
Apr 24 2022Festa, who allowed an unearned run on two hits and a walk while recording two strikeouts over two-thirds of an inning in a win over the Royals on Saturday, has a 5.06 ERA and 1.69 WHIP across his first six appearances. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The right-hander has allowed at least one run in half of his six outings, and he also gave up a pair of home runs in his first appearance of the season against the Twins back on April 10. On a more positive note, Festa has also missed plenty of bats, furnishing an 11:3 K:BB across 5.1 innings. Festa's current big-league tenure is his first since 2019, when he posted a 0-2 record, 5.64 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and three holds while also being charged with a pair of blown saves for the Mariners in 20 appearances.
Apr 7 2022The Mariners purchased Festa's contract Thursday and he is on the Opening Day roster. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Festa was reassigned to minor-league camp on March 29, though the team will soon shift Casey Sadler (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list. In turn, that will open a spot on the 40-man roster and in the big-league bullpen for Festa. He hasn't pitched in the majors since 2019, though he managed a 2.95 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with a 31:3 K:BB across 21.1 innings with Triple-A Tacoma in 2021.
Jul 22 2019Festa was optioned<\/a> to Triple-A Tacoma on Monday.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 14 2019Festa was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Friday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 11 2019Festa was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma<\/a> on Tuesday.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 3 2019Festa was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma<\/a> on Monday.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 18 2019Festa was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma<\/a> following Friday's game against the Twins.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 17 2019Festa was recalled<\/a> from Triple-A Tacoma on Friday.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 14 2018Festa was called up from Double-A Arkansas on Saturday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.The 25-year-old right-hander has been serving as the closer for Arkansas, going 13-for-13 in save chances and totaling 44 strikeouts in 31.2 innings. He will be at the bottom of the pecking order in Seattle and may end up being sent back down after the break, but now that he's on the 40-man, Festa figures to spend all of September with the big-league team.
Feb 28 2018Festa arrived to spring training with a hip/sciatic issue and has not yet thrown, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.While Festa has the stuff to someday pitch in the big leagues, he lacks fantasy relevance as a relief-pitching prospect who has not yet reached Double-A. He logged a 3.23 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 99:19 K:BB in 69.2 innings at High-A last year. Consider him out indefinitely.