The Texas Rangers signed right-handed relief pitcher Shawn Armstrong to an undisclosed one-year deal on Monday and designated pitcher Sam Huff for assignment in a corresponding move. Armstrong pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays, St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs in 2024 and went a combined 3-3 with a 4.86 ERA (3.57 FIP), a 1.53 WHIP, one save, 66 strikeouts and 25 walks in 66 2/3 innings over a career-high 57 appearances (seven starts). The 34-year-old former 18th-round pick by the Cleveland Guardians in 2011 out of East Carolina University debuted in the big leagues with Cleveland in 2015 and holds a career 4.15 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with eight saves in 347 1/3 total innings pitched. With Texas in 2025, he should operate in a middle-relief role, where he won't have any real fantasy value to speak of.
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Shawn Armstrong is listed as the starter for the team's game on Thursday against the visiting Oakland Athletics. Armstrong is serving as the opener for this contest for Tampa, with left-hander Tyler Alexander expected to take over as the bulk reliever after Armstrong goes an inning or two. The 33-year-old has performed well as the opener four other times for the Rays this year, but that doesn't mean he's a viable streamer for fantasy purposes. Armstrong is currently 1-1 on the year with a 3.91 ERA, a 1.22 WHIP, one save, 30 strikeouts and nine walks in 25 1/3 innings over 20 appearances (four starts). Alexander has a good matchup once he enters the game, but the 29-year-old southpaw hasn't been nearly as effective as Armstrong has been this year.
Shawn Armstrong Picks Up Save, Pete Fairbanks Not Used
Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Shawn Armstrong notched his first save of the season Sunday in a 3-2 win over the Colorado Rockies. This save was of the two-inning variety, as Armstrong threw the eighth and ninth. He allowed an inherited runner to score in the eighth and one of his own in the ninth to make things interesting but escaped with the save. Of note in this one is that presumed closer Pete Fairbanks wasn't used for the second day in a row in a save situation. He gave up three runs and took the loss on Friday while struggling with control and then wasn't used either of the past two days, so this is a situation worth monitoring. Fairbanks should still be rostered in all leagues where saves count, and Armstrong isn't worth rostering in most leagues. Jason Adam, however, could be a nice handcuff to have for Fairbanks owners.
Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Shawn Armstrong picked up his first save of the season in Monday's 2-1 win over the Angels. Armstrong came in to pitch the ninth inning up by one and delivered a 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout. This was the 31-year-old's first save opportunity this season in 42 inning pitched, over which he has an uninspiring 4.71 ERA. The Rays are notorious for mixing up their bullpen usage at the end of games, and this has been fully on display lately with five different players seeing save opportunities in the last seven days. Pete Fairbanks has seen the most in that time at two, so he may be worth the latest dart throw if fantasy managers are truly desperate for saves.
Free-agent right-hander Shawn Armstrong was receiving interest from more than 20 teams before the lockout began in early December. Armstrong, 31, posted a 6.75 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with 44 strikeouts and 15 walks in 36 relief innings for the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays in 2021. The Rays were willing to re-sign him immediately to a minor league deal or split-salary deal. Armstrong has been out of minor league options since 2019 and has seven years of major league experience with the Cleveland Guardians, Seattle Mariners, Orioles and Rays. He has been working out at a facility near his North Carolina home with a group of players, but he's not allowed to talk to teams or take part in workouts in front of scouts.
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Shawn Armstrong has been dealt to the Tampa Bay Rays. In exchange for Armstrong, the Orioles will receive cash considerations. Armstrong has an 8.55 ERA over 20 appearances for the Orioles this season. He was removed from the 40-man roster last month, but has pitched well in the minors. Armstrong could be a nice depth piece for the Rays as they make a playoff push. He won't hold any fantasy value and will likely head to Triple-A.
Baltimore Orioles reliever Shawn Armstrong (back) started a throwing program on Wednesday at the team's alternate training site. The 30-year-old has not appeared in a game since August 22, and he is already eligible to return from the injured list. Armstrong was enjoying a stellar 2020 season, posting a 2.19 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 12/3 K/BB rate across 12 1/3 innings. He has not factored into the closing situation yet, but he will maintain value for fantasy managers in holds league upon his return.
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Shawn Armstrong threw two innings of scoreless ball to earn his third save of the season Wednesday in San Diego. Armstrong allowed one hit while striking out two to close out the victory. Armstrong hasn't been very good this season, his ERA is 5.08 with an equally bad 5.48 xFIP, but he could be the saves source in Baltimore. Mychal Givens has given up a run in each of his last three outings and is a possible trade candidate. Armstrong is worth an add in deeper leagues where saves are scarce, especially if Givens gets traded.
Seattle Mariners right-hander Shawn Armstrong (oblique) could make his debut any day now, as the club announced Friday that he was being reinstated from the injured list. The 28-year-old made 14 appearances for the Mariners last year, posting a 1.23 ERA and even recording a save. The club is off to a rousing 13-2 start, the best in the majors. Along with Armstrong, they have recalled Ruben Alaniz from Triple-A, optioning both Matthew Festa and Erik Swanson back to Tacoma. While he doesn't appear to be in contention for saves, Armstrong figures to be a factor in the holds department for the Mariners.
Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Shawn Armstrong (oblique) will make a few minor league rehab outings and could return from the injured list on the team's next homestand. With closer Hunter Strickland (lat) out two months, Seattle's save's picture is wide open and includes arms like Chasen Bradford, Roenis Elias, Matthew Festa, Cory Gearrin, Nick Rumbelow and Anthony Swarzak. You can add Armstrong to the mix when he returns. It's anyone's guess at this point who gets most of the chances, but it'll likely be some sort of committee approach.
Shawn Armstrong
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Rangers
