Matt

Festa

Festa will join the Rangers to provide some mid-to-late inning relief help. The 31-year-old signed with Texas after being outrighted off the roster by the Mets early in July.

Festa is back in the fold with the Rangers as emergency relief depth at Triple-A Round Rock just a handful of days after being released from his previous minor league contract with the club. The 31-year-old righty made one relief appearance earlier this season for the Mets.

Festa elected free agency over the weekend after passing through waivers unclaimed following his removal from the Mets’ 40-man roster. The 31-year-old righty heads to Texas as extra organizational relief depth.

Festa has the option to elect free agency or remain with the Mets as extra organizational depth after going unclaimed on waivers. The 31-year-old righty made just one relief appearance for New York after being called up back on June 30.

Festa was the corresponding move for Christian Scott, who was recalled to start on Wednesday. After being added to the roster on June 30th, Festa made one appearance for the Mets and allowed five runs (four earned) in one inning. He had a 1.76 ERA in 11 appearances with Triple-A Syracuse. New York has seven days to trade Festa or place him on waivers.

Festa linked on with the Mets in May on a minor-league deal, and he’ll now have a chance to make his season debut. The right-hander will be a middle-inning option while he’s with the club. Tylor Megill was sent down to Triple-A Syracuse to make room on the roster.

Festa had been pitching with their Triple-A affiliate in El Paso. The 31-year-old spent parts of four seasons with the Mariners after they drafted him in the seventh round back in 2016. Festa heads to the open market with a career 4.32 ERA.

The 30-year-old right-hander made eight appearances out of the Mariners’ bullpen in 2023 — posting a 4.00 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and a 13/12 K/BB ratio across his nine innings of work. Festa has proven to be a valuable bullpen piece in the past though, and with a strong showing in Cactus League play he could push for a spot on the Padres’ Opening Day roster.

He’s declined the assignment and become a free agent. It’s a little surprising no one picked up Festa; he wasn’t too bad in the majors last season (4.17 ERA in 54 IP), and he was excelling in Triple-A (0.53 ERA in 34 IP). However, since he’s 30 and he lacks upside, no one decided he was worth a claim.

Festa was optioned to the minors a couple week ago after posting a pedestrian 4.00 ERA, 1.78 WHIP, and 13/12 K/BB ratio across nine innings (eight appearances) this season in the big leagues. He should attract some interest on waivers given his track record.