Former Valuable Seattle Mariners Reliever DFA'd By Chicago Cubs
![Matt Festa (67) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park in 2018. Matt Festa (67) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park in 2018.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3032,h_1705,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/inside_the_mariners/01jjqbzqx79ezh57mntc.jpg)
Former Seattle Mariners reliever Matt Festa has been designated for assignment by the Chicago Cubs, according to the team.
The Cubs needed the roster spot in order to make room for reliever Ryan Pressly, who they just acquired from the Houston Astros.
The #Cubs today acquired RHP Ryan Pressly from the Astros for RHP Juan Bello. To make room on the 40-man roster, RHP Matt Festa has been designated for assignment.
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) January 28, 2025
Welcome to Chicago, Ryan! pic.twitter.com/58FSMz5yCe
The 31-year-old Festa made his major league debut with the Mariners back in 2018 and then appeared in games in that season, 2019, 2022 and 2023. He was an integral part of the team's bullpen in 2022, appearing in 53 games as the M's advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 2001. He pitched to a respectable 4.17 ERA, joining Paul Sewald, Andres Munoz, Penn Murfee and Matt Brash as key members of that year's pen.
Since leaving the Mariners, Festa has pitched for the New York Mets and Rangers. He made 19 appearances in 2024, with 18 of them coming for Texas. He had a 5.70 ERA.
The Rangers had designated Festa for assignment earlier this offseason. As a result of being DFA'd again, Festa could be traded, released or outrighted to the minor leagues.
The Mariners could attempt to bring Festa back, but the M's do seem to have a full bullpen at the major league level. Munoz, Gregory Santos, Trent Thornton, and Collin Snider seem to be righties with guaranteed spots. Youngster Troy Taylor also showed well in his call-up last August and September, and Brash will be back from Tommy John surgery in April, according to reports.
The Mariners report to spring training in just over two weeks.
Related Stories on Seattle Mariners
POLANCO to RIVAL?: Former Seattle Mariners infielder Jorge Polanco, who could still be an option for the Mariners, is drawing interest from the Houston Astros. CLICK HERE:
MORE PROSPECT LOVE: The M's farm system has drawn rave reviews from Baseball America and MLB Pipeline this winter. You can add Keith Law of The Athletic to the list of fans. CLICK HERE:
WILD HISTORY: Dylan Moore and JP Crawford were in some wild baseball history in 2024 because of their home/road splits. CLICK HERE:
Follow Seattle Mariners on SI on social media
Continue to follow our Inside the Mariners coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following Teren Kowatsch and Brady Farkas on "X" @Teren_Kowatsch and @wdevradiobrady. You can subscribe to the "Refuse to Lose" podcast by clicking HERE.