While we wait for the Cubs’ final arbitration decisions Thursday, the team made a minor deal.

The Cubs today acquired right-handed pitcher Matt Festa from the Texas Rangers for cash considerations. To make room on the 40-man roster, infielder Miles Mastrobuoni has been designated for assignment. The Cubs 40-man roster currently stands at 40 players.

Festa will turn 32 in March and posted a 4.37 ERA and 1.059 WHIP in 18 relief appearances for Texas in 2024. In his MLB career since 2018 with the Mariners, Mets and Rangers, Festa has a 4.60 ERA in 160 appearances, all in relief except for one start with Seattle in 2018 in which he was used as an opener.

Mastrobuoni has been a polarizing figure in Cubdom in his tenure with the team, so I’ll simply say I wish him well going forward.

Just for the record, and I’ll post a full article when all the info is out, the Cubs came to terms with Justin Steele and Nate Pearson before Thursday’s deadline. We still have not heard about contract terms for Kyle Tucker and Eli Morgan, the Cubs’ other two arbitration-eligible players.

As always, we await developments.