Matthew Joseph Festa Bio
Matthew Joseph Festa is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Cleveland Guardians of Major League Baseball. Born on March 11, 1993, in Brooklyn, New York, Festa has built a journeyman career across multiple MLB organizations, including the Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, and Texas Rangers before joining the Guardians in 2025. The right-handed pitcher was drafted in the seventh round by Seattle in 2016 and has compiled a career record of 15 wins and 8 losses with a 4.36 earned run average and 218 strikeouts through June 2026. In addition to his MLB career, Festa has represented Italy internationally in two World Baseball Classic tournaments.
Early Life and Background
Festa was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in the Bulls Head and Great Kills sections of Staten Island, New York. He grew up as a fan of the New York Yankees, idolizing the legendary pinstripes during his formative years. His passion for baseball developed early in the sports-rich neighborhoods of New York City, where he honed his skills as a pitcher.
Festa attended St. Joseph by the Sea High School in Staten Island, graduating in 2011. The private Catholic high school has produced several notable baseball alumni, and Festa’s time there laid the foundation for his future collegiate and professional career. After high school, he continued his baseball journey at the collegiate level.
Path to Professional Baseball
Following high school graduation, Festa enrolled at Dominican College, where he played one year of college baseball for the Chargers. Seeking greater opportunities for development and playing time, he transferred to East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, where he pitched for the East Stroudsburg Warriors for three years. He majored in business management during his collegiate career.
At East Stroudsburg University, Festa established himself as one of the top pitchers in the program. His standout performance culminated in 2016 when he earned All-America honors, recognizing him as one of the finest collegiate baseball players in the country. His achievements with the Warriors made him the highest draft pick in East Stroudsburg University program history, setting a new standard for future Warriors prospects.
Matthew Joseph Festa Career
Seattle Mariners (2016-2023)
The Seattle Mariners selected Festa in the seventh round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft, choosing him with the 207th overall selection. He began his professional career that same year 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 in 14 games, eight of which were starts.
In 2017, Festa advanced to the Modesto Nuts of the High-A California League. He excelled with a 4-2 record and a 3.23 ERA, recording 99 strikeouts in 69 and two-thirds innings pitched. His outstanding performance earned him a selection to the league’s All-Star Game, showcasing his status as one of the top prospects in the Mariners organization.
MLB Debut and Early Major League Success
Festa received an invitation to Mariners spring training in 2018. He began the regular season with the Arkansas Travelers of the Double-A Texas League, and the Mariners promoted him to the major leagues on July 14, 2018. He made his MLB debut that same day, taking the mound against major league hitters for the first time.
Festa secured a spot on the Mariners Opening Day roster for the 2019 season. However, his time with Seattle that year was interrupted by multiple assignments to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers. He finished the 2019 campaign with just 20 appearances for the major league club. On February 3, 2020, Festa was designated for assignment and outrighted to Tacoma on February 10. Tragically, he underwent Tommy John surgery on March 5, 2020, which ended his 2020 season before it could begin.
Festa returned to action in August 2021 with Tacoma, pitching 21 and one-third innings with a 2.95 ERA. He also appeared in four rehab games with the High-A Everett AquaSox and the Arizona League Mariners. In 2022, the Mariners invited Festa to spring training as a non-roster player, and he made a significant decision to go by his full first name of Matthew instead of Matt. On April 7, the Mariners selected his contract, adding him to their Opening Day roster. On July 17, 2022, Festa earned his first career save, striking out the side in the 10th inning to protect a one-run lead over the Texas Rangers. He finished the 2022 season making 53 appearances for Seattle with a 4.17 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 54 innings. In 2023, he made eight appearances with a 4.00 ERA and 13 strikeouts in nine innings. On August 8, 2023, the Mariners designated Festa for assignment, and he was released the same day.
Stints with New York Mets and Texas Rangers (2024)
On January 26, 2024, Festa signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres organization. In 16 games for the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas, he posted a 4.50 ERA with 16 strikeouts across 16 innings. The Padres released him on May 16, 2024.
Three days later, on May 19, Festa signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets organization. With the Triple-A Syracuse Mets, he recorded a 1.76 ERA with 19 strikeouts across 15 and one-third innings. The Mets selected his contract on June 30, adding him to the active roster. He entered the rain-delayed game against the Houston Astros that day and was charged with five runs in his debut. The Mets designated him for assignment on July 3, and he cleared waivers and elected free agency on July 5.
Festa signed with the Texas Rangers on July 8, 2024. In four appearances for the Triple-A Round Rock Express, he recorded a 1.42 ERA with six strikeouts across six and one-third innings. After being released on August 1, he re-signed with the Rangers on a new minor league contract on August 6. The Rangers selected his contract on August 11, adding him to their active roster. In 18 appearances for Texas, Festa went 6-0 with a 4.37 ERA and 23 strikeouts across 22 and two-thirds innings. The Rangers designated him for assignment on January 6, 2025.
Cleveland Guardians Era (2025-Present)
On January 9, 2025, the Rangers traded Festa to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for cash considerations. He was designated for assignment following the acquisition of Ryan Pressly on January 28. Festa cleared waivers and elected free agency on February 3, then signed a minor league contract to return to the Rangers organization on February 5. He made nine scoreless appearances for Round Rock, posting a 2-0 record with 20 strikeouts and one save over 14 and two-thirds innings.
On April 30, 2025, Festa was traded to the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for cash considerations. On May 2, the Guardians selected his contract, adding him to their active roster. This move marked a new chapter in his career as he joined a franchise with a strong tradition of developing quality pitching depth.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a right-handed pitcher, Festa has demonstrated versatility throughout his career, capable of working as both a starter and reliever. His ability to pitch effectively in multiple roles has made him a valuable asset for organizations seeking bullpen depth. His strikeout ability, particularly evident during his time in the minor leagues with seasons of 99 strikeouts, showcases his capacity to miss bats at the major league level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Several milestones stand out in Festa’s career. His first career save on July 17, 2022, against the Texas Rangers demonstrated his ability to perform in high-pressure situations, striking out the side in extra innings. His 6-0 record with the Rangers in 2024 proved he could contribute meaningfully when given opportunities. Being the highest draft pick in East Stroudsburg University program history highlights his status as a pioneering figure for his college program.
Matthew Joseph Festa Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Festa has accumulated wins at both the minor and major league levels. His career MLB record stands at 15 wins and 8 losses with a 4.36 ERA and 218 strikeouts through late June 2026. His minor league career includes several productive seasons that built his reputation as a strikeout artist.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Festa’s most successful MLB season came with the Texas Rangers in 2024, where he went 6-0 in 18 appearances with a 4.37 ERA. This undefeated record demonstrated his effectiveness as a reliever capable of preserving and earning victories. His first career save in July 2022 with the Mariners remains a signature moment, showcasing his ability to close games in pressure situations. He earned his first big league win during his initial stint with Seattle, beginning a career trajectory that has seen him contribute across multiple organizations.
Minor League Career Highlights
In the minor leagues, Festa’s standout season came in 2017 with Modesto, where he went 4-2 with a 3.23 ERA and 99 strikeouts in under 70 innings, earning All-Star recognition. His 2016 debut with Everett saw him go 6-2 with a 3.73 ERA. His 2025 stint with Round Rock featured nine scoreless appearances with 20 strikeouts, demonstrating his continued ability to miss bats at the Triple-A level.
Matthew Joseph Festa Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Festa keeps his family background private, with limited public information available about his parents or extended family. What is known is his deep New York roots, having grown up in the Bulls Head and Great Kills neighborhoods of Staten Island. His upbringing in the New York baseball culture influenced his fandom of the Yankees from an early age.
Personal Life
In November 2025, Festa married Danamarie McNicholl, a Fox News reporter and former Miss Washington. The wedding marked a happy personal milestone for the veteran pitcher, uniting his baseball career with his life outside the sport. McNicholl’s background as a television journalist and beauty pageant titleholder represents a notable pairing in the sports-media world.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a period of transition and opportunity for Festa. Beginning the year with the Rangers organization, he showcased his continued effectiveness in Triple-A Round Rock, where he posted a 2-0 record with 20 strikeouts and a save over 14 and two-thirds scoreless innings. His strong minor league performance caught the attention of other organizations seeking bullpen depth.
Late April brought a new opportunity when the Cleveland Guardians acquired Festa from the Rangers on April 30, 2025. The Guardians selected his contract on May 2, adding him to their active roster. This move positioned him within a Guardians organization known for its strong pitching development and competitive playoff contention. The trade represented a chance for Festa to contribute to a team with legitimate postseason aspirations.
Looking ahead, Festa brings a veteran presence and versatility to the Guardians bullpen. His ability to work multiple innings and his experience across four MLB organizations make him a reliable depth option. As the 2025 season progresses, his role with Cleveland will continue to develop based on performance and team needs.