The Chicago Cubs have added another arm to their bullpen mix.
The Cubs acquired right-hander Matt Festa from the Texas Rangers on Thursday for cash considerations. In the corresponding 40-man roster move, infielder Miles Mastrobuoni was designated for assignment.
Festa, who utilizes a four-seam fastball, sweeper and cutter mix, posted a 4.37 ERA over 22 2/3 innings (18 games) with the Rangers last season. Originally a seventh-round pick of the Seattle Mariners in 2016, Festa experienced his most big-league success with Seattle from 2022-23, when he owned a 4.14 ERA in 61 appearances, including a career-high 53 games in 2022. The Rangers designated Festa, 31, for assignment on Monday.
Mastrobuoni had been valued for the depth he provided in the infield as a lefty bench bat. The 29-year-old appeared in 110 games in parts of two seasons with the Cubs, including 50 in 2024, which featured 25 starts with the majority coming at third base.
The Cubs have revamped their infield depth this offseason with the additions of third baseman Gage Workman, selected from the Detroit Tigers in December’s Rule 5 draft, and Vidal Bruján, acquired from the Miami Marlins last month for first baseman Matt Mervis.