The Seattle Mariners announced a roster move today; Matt Festa is being optioned to AA Arkansas.
The Mariners will make a corresponding roster move prior to Friday’s (7:10 pm PT) game when they open the 2nd half of the regular season vs. the Chicago White Sox at Safeco Field.
Festa, 25, made his Major League debut with the Mariners on July 14 at Colorado, tossing 0.2 scoreless innings in relief. He was selected prior to the game on July 14 from AA Arkansas, where he has successfully converted 13-of-13 save opportunities this season, while posting a record of 2-2 with a 3.13 ERA (11 ER, 31.2 IP). The 6-foot-1, 190-pound right-hander has struck out 44 while walking only 7 (6.29 K/BB ratio) over 28 relief appearances with the Travelers. Festa’s 13 saves currently lead the Texas League.
In 2017 with high-A Modesto, Festa was named to the North Division California League All-Star Team. He went 4-2 with 6 saves and a 3.23 ERA (25 ER, 69.2 IP) with 99 strikeouts and 19 walks in 42 games (1 start). He led Cal League relievers in strikeouts-per-9.0-innings (13.10/97 K, 66.2 IP).
The native of Brooklyn, NY, attended Dominican (NY) College in 2012 before transferring to East Stroudsburg University, where he became the highest draft pick in program history after the Mariners selected him in the 7th round of the 2016 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
