CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs have acquired right-handed pitcher Ryan Pressly from the Houston Astros in exchange for right-handed pitcher Juan Bello. To make room on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Matt Festa has been designated for assignment. The Cubs’ 40-man roster now stands at 40 players.
Pressly, 36, has a career record of 35-36 with a 3.27 ERA (236 ER in 650.0 IP), 112 saves, and 693 strikeouts in 623 major league games, all in relief. He has pitched for the Minnesota Twins (2013-18) and Houston Astros (2018-24). The two-time All-Star (2019, 2021) has recorded at least 30 saves in a season twice, in 2022 and 2023. Since the 2020 season, he has tallied 106 saves, the fifth-most in the majors, trailing only Emmanuel Clase (157), Josh Hader (150), Kenley Jansen (146), and Raisel Iglesias (126). Pressly’s 111 saves with Houston rank fourth in the club’s history.
The six-foot-two-inch pitcher made his major league debut with the Twins in 2013 and went 17-16 with a 3.75 ERA (132 ER in 317.0 IP) in 281 games across parts of six seasons with Minnesota. He was traded to Houston on July 27, 2018, for right-handed pitcher Jorge Alcala and outfielder Gilberto Celestino. Pressly led the American League with 77 appearances in 2018 (51 with Minnesota and 26 with Houston) while setting career-best marks in games and strikeouts (101). He ranked fourth among A.L. relievers in strikeouts and eighth in ERA (2.54) that season.
Pressly earned his first career A.L. All-Star selection in 2019, posting a 2-3 record with a 2.32 ERA (14 ER in 54.1 IP) and three saves in 55 appearances. He was tied for the A.L. lead in holds (31) and finished sixth in WHIP (0.88). He set the MLB record for the longest scoreless appearance streak from August 15, 2018, to May 24, 2019, spanning 40 games and 39.0 innings.
Pressly took on the closer role in 2020, recording 12 saves, tied for third-most in the A.L. In 2021, he posted a career-best 2.25 ERA (16 ER in 65.0 IP) with 26 saves and earned his second All-Star appearance. He became the first Astros reliever to be selected to multiple All-Star Games since Billy Wagner.
In 2022, Pressly recorded a career-high 33 saves and added 31 more in 2023, becoming the first Astros pitcher with 30-plus saves in consecutive seasons since Brad Lidge (2005-06). He led all players with six saves in the 2022 postseason, tied for the second-most in a single postseason in MLB history, and did not allow a run in 11.0 innings. He secured the World Series championship for Houston with a seven-pitch ninth inning in Game 6 against Philadelphia.
Pressly has appeared in 47 career playoff games, going 3-1 with a 2.78 ERA (14 ER in 45.1 IP). He has converted all 14 of his save opportunities, tied for the longest streak of converted saves to begin a postseason career since the stat became official in 1969. His 14 saves are the fifth-most in MLB playoff history.
A native of Dallas, Pressly was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 11th round of the 2007 draft. He attended Carrollton American Heritage Academy (TX) and Marcus High School (TX). He was committed to Texas Tech before signing with the Red Sox.
Bello, 20, has a 4-8 record with a 3.66 ERA (51 ER in 125.1 IP) in 35 career minor league games (33 starts) with the Cubs.
Festa, 31, was acquired by Chicago from Texas on January 9 for cash considerations. In 108 career major league games (one start), he has an 8-3 record with a 4.60 ERA (60 ER in 117.1 IP) and two saves.
