SEATTLE -- Rookie reliever Matt Festa, who made his Major League debut for the Mariners on Saturday, has been optioned back to Double-A Arkansas so he can continue pitching as Seattle began the four-day All-Star break on Monday.
A corresponding roster move to add another player will be made before the club resumes play Friday against the White Sox at 7:10 p.m. PT at Safeco Field.
The 25-year-old right-hander gave up two hits while getting two outs in Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Rockies, allowing an inherited runner to score from third after replacing starter Wade LeBlanc with one out in the fifth inning.
Festa, the Mariners' No. 9 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has gone 2-2 with a 3.13 ERA and 13 saves in 28 outings for Arkansas, with 44 strikeouts and seven walks in 31 2/3 innings.
The Mariners went with 10 relievers over the weekend in Colorado, adding Festa and veteran Mike Morin to the bullpen while placing starters Felix Hernandez and James Paxton on the 10-day disabled list with lower back issues.
Both Hernandez and Paxton are expected to rejoin the rotation following the break, with Hernandez tentatively slated to throw Saturday against the White Sox and Paxton returning next Tuesday to face the Giants.