Matt Festa Bio
Matthew Joseph Festa is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Cleveland Guardians of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on March 11, 1993, in Brooklyn, New York, Festa has also pitched in MLB for the Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, and Texas Rangers during his career. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall, the right-handed reliever has built his career as a dependable bullpen arm. Beyond his work in the majors, he has represented Italy on the international stage, including at the World Baseball Classic.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Joseph Festa was born and raised in the New York City area, with roots in the Bulls Head and Great Kills neighborhoods of Staten Island. Growing up in a region with a deep baseball tradition, he became a devoted fan of the New York Yankees during his childhood. His early years on Staten Island helped shape his love for the game and laid the foundation for his future in pitching.
Festa graduated from St. Joseph by the Sea High School in 2011, where he developed his skills on the mound and attracted attention from college programs. After high school, he enrolled at Dominican College, where he played college baseball for the Chargers for one season. Seeking a stronger platform, he then transferred to East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, where he majored in business management and pitched for the East Stroudsburg Warriors for three years.
Path to Baseball
At East Stroudsburg University, Festa emerged as one of the top collegiate pitchers in the country, earning All-America honors in 2016. That same year, the Seattle Mariners selected him in the seventh round, with the 207th overall pick, of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft. He became the highest draft pick in East Stroudsburg University program history, a milestone that marked his transition from promising college arm to professional prospect.
Matt Festa Career
Early Career (2016-2017)
After being drafted, Festa began his professional career in 2016 with the Everett AquaSox of the Low-A Northwest League, where he posted a 6-2 win-loss record with a 3.73 earned run average (ERA) in 14 games, including eight starts. The following year, he advanced to the Modesto Nuts of the High-A California League, going 4-2 with a 3.23 ERA and 99 strikeouts across 69 and 2/3 innings. His strong performance earned him a spot in the California League All-Star Game, signaling his readiness for higher levels of competition.
Seattle Mariners (2018-2019, 2022-2023)
Festa made his major league debut on July 14, 2018, after being promoted from the Double-A Arkansas Travelers. He made the Mariners’ Opening Day roster in 2019 but was sent down to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers multiple times during the season. On March 5, 2020, Festa underwent Tommy John surgery, which ended his 2020 season before it began, and he returned to action in August 2021.
Starting in 2022, Festa decided to go by his full first name of Matthew rather than Matt. That year, he appeared in 53 games for Seattle, posting a 4.17 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 54 innings. On July 17, 2022, he earned his first career save, striking out the side in the 10th inning to protect a one-run lead over the Texas Rangers. In 2023, Festa made eight appearances before being designated for assignment and released by the Mariners on August 8.
New York Mets (2024)
On May 19, 2024, Festa signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets after a brief stint in the San Diego Padres organization. He excelled at Triple-A Syracuse, recording a 1.76 ERA with 19 strikeouts across 15 and 1/3 innings in 11 appearances. The Mets selected his contract on June 30, adding him to the active roster. Festa appeared in a rain-delayed game against the Houston Astros that same day, giving up five runs in a 10-5 loss, before being designated for assignment on July 3 and electing free agency on July 5.
Texas Rangers (2024)
Festa signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers on July 8, 2024, and impressed at Triple-A Round Rock with a 1.42 ERA across four appearances. After being released and re-signed, he joined the Rangers’ active roster on August 11. In 18 appearances for Texas, Festa logged a 6-0 record and a 4.37 ERA with 23 strikeouts across 22 and 2/3 innings, finishing the year as a key contributor out of the bullpen. The Rangers designated him for assignment on January 6, 2025, and he was later traded to the Chicago Cubs before returning to the Rangers on a minor league deal in February 2025.
Cleveland Guardians Era (2025-Present)
On April 30, 2025, Festa was traded to the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for cash considerations, and his contract was selected on May 2, adding him to the active roster. Through this chapter of his career, he has continued to serve as a reliable relief pitcher, contributing to the Guardians’ bullpen depth. His transition to Cleveland marked a fresh opportunity to establish himself with a contender in the American League.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a right-handed reliever, Festa has built his reputation on his ability to generate strikeouts in high-leverage situations. His experience across multiple organizations has made him adaptable, and he has shown the consistency needed to bounce back from setbacks like Tommy John surgery. Festa’s composure on the mound and his track record of closing out tight games make him a valuable asset in late-inning roles.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Festa’s career came on July 17, 2022, when he recorded his first major league save by striking out the side in the 10th inning against the Texas Rangers. Being named the highest draft pick in East Stroudsburg University history also stands as a significant milestone. Additionally, representing Italy in the 2023 and 2026 World Baseball Classic highlighted his international pedigree and connection to his heritage.
Matt Festa Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Matthew Joseph Festa has compiled a strong record as a relief pitcher across multiple organizations. His journey from the Everett AquaSox to the Cleveland Guardians reflects steady growth and perseverance through challenges.
Major League Highlights
In the major leagues, Festa has accumulated a 14-8 win-loss record with a 4.41 ERA and 217 strikeouts through the 2026 season. His most recent standout stretch came with the Texas Rangers in 2024, where he went a perfect 6-0 across 18 appearances. Combined with his earlier work for the Mariners, Mets, and now the Guardians, Festa has established himself as a dependable arm in high-pressure situations.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the majors, Festa has posted impressive numbers in the minor leagues, including a 6-2 record with the Everett AquaSox in 2016 and a strong 4-2 mark with the Modesto Nuts in 2017. He also recorded a 2-0 record with 20 strikeouts over 14 and 2/3 scoreless innings for the Round Rock Express in early 2025, demonstrating his continued ability to perform at a high level.
Matt Festa Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Matthew Joseph Festa grew up in a tight-knit community on Staten Island, where baseball was a shared passion among families and friends. His Italian heritage has played an important role in his life, as evidenced by his decision to represent Italy in international competition.
Personal Life
Festa married Fox News reporter and former Miss Washington Danamarie McNicholl in November 2025. The couple’s union brought together two accomplished professionals, and they have been supportive of each other’s careers.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a year of transition for Matthew Joseph Festa, who began the year with the Texas Rangers organization before being traded to the Cleveland Guardians on April 30. After joining Cleveland, he was added to the active roster on May 2 and has contributed to the team’s bullpen throughout the summer. His early-season work at Triple-A Round Rock, where he posted a 2-0 record with 20 strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA over 14 and 2/3 innings, set the stage for his return to the majors.
With the Guardians, Festa has provided veteran depth in relief, helping to stabilize middle and late innings. His performance has reflected the consistency and resilience that have defined his career, even as he navigated multiple organizations in a single calendar year. The trade to Cleveland offered him a stable environment to focus on pitching and contribute to a competitive roster.
Looking ahead, Festa’s role with the Guardians appears secure, and his experience across multiple postseason-caliber teams should serve him well in high-leverage moments. As the 2025 season progresses, he will aim to build on his strong minor league numbers and continue delivering for Cleveland’s bullpen. His journey from a Staten Island high school graduate to a seasoned MLB reliever remains a testament to his dedication and work ethic.
