The Guardians introduced that they’ve chosen the contract of right-hander Matt Festa from Triple-A Columbus. Fellow righty Vince Velasquez has been designated for project because the corresponding transfer.
It was reported earlier this week that the Guardians had acquired Festa from the Rangers. He had signed a minor league cope with Texas however not too long ago had the flexibility to choose out of that deal if not within the main leagues. Based mostly on the commerce, it appeared just like the Guards had been keen to offer him the roster spot that the Rangers wouldn’t, and that has come to cross immediately.
He actually did his greatest to earn the chance. He tossed 14 2/3 scoreless innings for Triple-A Spherical Rock to start out this 12 months. His 11.3% stroll price was a bit excessive however he punched out 32.2% of batters confronted and saved 47.1% of balls in play on the bottom. His massive league monitor file is extra middling, with a 4.60 ERA, 25% strikeout price, 10.3% stroll price and 34.9% floor ball price in 117 1/3 innings, however the Guards will see if his sizzling begin this 12 months might be carried over.
That may sadly result in Velasquez dropping his roster spot with out pitching in a sport. His final main league look was nearly two years in the past now, occurring with the Pirates on Could twenty seventh of 2023. UCL surgical procedure worn out the remainder of that season and his complete 2024.
He signed a minor league cope with the Guards coming into 2025 and began this 12 months in Triple-A. He tossed 15 innings over 4 begins with an ERA of 6.00, a 14.7% strikeout price and 21.3% stroll price. These are terrible numbers in a small pattern however the membership wished a contemporary arm earlier this week. Final Friday’s sport was rained out, which led to a Saturday doubleheader, which means Cleveland was to play 13 video games in 12 days. They added Kolby Allard on Saturday and Velasquez on Tuesday, two arms able to pitching a number of innings, however didn’t use Velasquez in any of the previous three video games.
Velasquez will probably be positioned on waivers shortly. Based mostly on his tough early-season numbers and up to date damage absence, he’ll probably clear. He has sufficient service time to reject an outright project and elect free company as an alternative.
If he finally ends up on the open market, he may maybe re-sign with the Guardians or search for alternatives elsewhere. He has 763 2/3 profession innings within the massive leagues with a 4.88 ERA, 24.9% strikeout price and 9.3% stroll price.
Photograph courtesy of Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Photographs
