Cleveland Guardians & Texas Rangers Complete Trade

The Cleveland Guardians have added another experienced arm to their pitching mix, acquiring right-hander Matt Festa from the Texas Rangers in exchange for cash considerations.

Festa, 32, has been assigned to Triple-A Columbus and will not initially join the Guardians' 40-man roster. Bringing durability and strikeout ability, Festa provides Cleveland with a depth option during a demanding stretch in their schedule that includes 22 games in 23 days.

Guardians acquired RHP Matt Festa from the Rangers for cash. He signed a Minor League deal with Texas in February and is being assigned to Triple-A Columbus.

Slade Cecconi will start for Columbus tonight to begin a rehab assignment.
— Tim Stebbins (@tim_stebbins) April 30, 2025

Guardians Trade for Matt Festa to Bolster Bullpen Depth

Festa brings with him five years of major league experience, having appeared in 108 games with the Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, and New York Rangers.

He owns a career 4.60 ERA with an impressive 9.7 K/9. In 2022, he posted a 4.17 ERA over 54 appearances for Seattle, his most productive big-league season. Most recently, he’s been dominant in Triple-A, tossing 14.2 scoreless innings with 20 strikeouts across nine outings for Round Rock, Texas' affiliate, before the trade.

Festa joins a wave of recent roster activity that includes the promotions of Kolby Allard, Vince Velasquez, and Joey Cantillo.

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.
— Texas Rangers PR (@TXRangersPR) April 30, 2025