Matt Festa is now a member of the Cleveland Guardians organization
The Texas Rangers have traded minor league reliever Matt Festa to the Cleveland Guardians for cash considerations, it was announced today.
Festa has had a procedurally active past 12 months. He was released by the San Diego Padres in May of 2024, signed with the New York Mets a couple of days later, was released by the Mets in July, signed with the Rangers the next day, was released on August 1, re-signed with Texas on August 6, was designated for assignment by the Rangers in December, was traded to the Cubs in early January, was released by the Cubs in early February, and then re-signed with the Rangers around the time camps opened.
Festa put up a 4.37 ERA in 22 innings over 18 appearances for the Rangers last year, and was in camp this year as a depth guy vying for a spot in the major league bullpen. Festa has yet to allow a run in nine appearances for Round Rock this year, but with no spots available in the major league pen and other righty relief candidates hanging around in Round Rock, Festa didn’t have a clear path to the big leagues with Texas. Cleveland is dealing with pitcher injuries, and I suspect he’ll be added to their big league roster once he reports.