CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland Guardians made a strategic move on Wednesday, acquiring right-handed pitcher Matt Festa from the Texas Rangers in exchange for cash considerations. This deal marks another step in the Guardians' ongoing efforts to bolster their bullpen amidst a demanding schedule of 22 games in 23 days.
Festa, 32, who has been assigned to Triple-A Columbus, has shown impressive form this season. During his time with Triple-A Round Rock, he compiled a remarkable record of 14.2 scoreless innings across nine appearances, striking out 20 batters while allowing only 10 hits and seven walks. This strong performance undoubtedly caught the eye of the Guardians' management as they look to reinforce their pitching staff.
In a statement by the Texas Rangers, the organization confirmed the trade via their official social media channels, stating, "The Texas Rangers today announced a minor league trade: the club has traded RHP Matt Festa to the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for cash considerations." The cash involved in the transaction is expected to be minimal, reflecting the nature of minor league trades.
Festa's journey in professional baseball has been a rollercoaster. After signing a minor league deal with the Rangers on February 12, 2025, he had been performing well at Round Rock. Last season, he appeared in 18 late-season games for the Rangers as a multi-inning reliever. However, after being traded to the Chicago Cubs last winter for cash, he found himself back with the Rangers in February after being designated for assignment.
The Rangers' recent roster moves have also included the removal of left-handed reliever Walter Pennington from the 40-man roster, who was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles. This left the Rangers in need of additional bullpen depth, which ultimately paved the way for Festa's departure.
Despite his recent success, Festa’s career in the Majors has been mixed. Over the course of five seasons, he has recorded a 4.60 ERA in 108 appearances with the Mariners, Rangers, and Mets. His most notable season came in 2022 when he made a career-high 53 appearances for Seattle, posting a 4.17 ERA over 54 innings.
The Guardians have been active in the player market recently, making several moves to enhance their pitching options. In addition to acquiring Festa, they have also selected Kolby Allard and Vince Velasquez from Triple-A Columbus in the past few days and recalled Joey Cantillo from Columbus after he was briefly optioned. This flurry of activity comes as the team deals with injuries, including Paul Sewald, who has landed on the 15-day injured list due to a right shoulder strain.
Festa's addition is seen as a potential boost for the Guardians, who are looking to solidify their bullpen as they navigate this challenging stretch of games. His experience and recent performance could see him make a significant impact if called up to the Major League roster.
As the Guardians prepare for their upcoming games, the focus will be on integrating Festa into their system and monitoring his performance at Triple-A. Should he continue to excel, it won’t be long before he finds himself back in the big leagues, contributing to a team that is actively seeking to improve its standings.
In related news, the Guardians also announced that right-hander Slade Cecconi will begin a rehab assignment on Wednesday night with Triple-A Columbus. Cecconi, who was acquired from Arizona in a trade that sent Josh Naylor to the Diamondbacks, has been recovering from a left oblique strain that sidelined him at the start of the season. He recorded a 6.66 ERA in 77 innings over 20 games for Arizona last season, and the Guardians will be eager to see how he performs as he works his way back to full health.
The Guardians' front office is clearly committed to building a competitive roster, and the acquisition of Matt Festa is just one of the many steps they are taking to ensure they have the necessary depth and talent to succeed this season. With the combination of Festa's strong minor league performance and the ongoing adjustments in the bullpen, fans can expect an exciting few weeks ahead as the Guardians aim to climb the standings in the American League.
