Armstrong earned a save against the Padres on Saturday by retiring the only batter he faced.
Texas held a three-run lead going into the bottom of the ninth inning, and manager Bruce Bochy turned to top closer Robert Garcia to close things out. Garcia struggled, however, loading the bases with two outs. Bochy then turned to Armstrong, who got Xander Bogaerts to ground into a fielder's choice to end the game. The save was the third of the season for Armstrong, who notched his other two saves across a three-game span in mid-May. Garcia has been a bit shaky of late, but he's still the most likely reliever to get the call the next time a save situation arises.
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Rangers' Shawn Armstrong: Takes loss as opener
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Armstrong (2-2) took the loss against the Royals on Thursday, allowing two runs on one hit and one walk while striking out one batter in the first inning.
With Nathan Eovaldi (triceps) on the injured list, the Rangers turned to Armstrong and the rest of the bullpen to fill the gap in the rotation. Armstrong took to the mound to start Thursday's game, but he gave up a two-run homer to Vinnie Pasquantino and was tagged with the loss as the Rangers were unable to muster up enough offense. Armstrong could be in the opener mix again next week against the Orioles at Camden Yards if Eovaldi is not cleared to return from the IL.
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Rangers' Shawn Armstrong: Starting bullpen game Thursday
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Armstrong will start Thursday against the Royals in what's expected to be a bullpen game for the Rangers, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
The Rangers remain without a No. 5 starter while Nathan Eovaldi (triceps) is on the injured list, so Armstrong will be called upon to fill the gap again after he previously covered the first three innings of last Friday's win over the White Sox. Jacob Latz will be available on four days' rest and could be called upon to fill multiple innings once Armstrong exits the contest. The 34-year-old Armstrong has been enjoying a nice bounce-back campaign, posting a 3.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP through 30 innings.
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Rangers' Shawn Armstrong: Kicking off bullpen game
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Armstrong will start Friday's game against the White Sox, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.
Armstrong will make his first start of 2025, though he's expected to throw just one or two innings before handing the ball off to another reliever as part of the Rangers' bullpen game. Armstrong hasn't pitched more than two innings in an appearance this season. He has a 3.33 ERA and a 29:13 K:BB over 27 innings on the campaign.
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Rangers' Shawn Armstrong: Strikes out side for first save
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Armstrong picked up the save after throwing a clean ninth inning in Tuesday's 4-1 win over Colorado. He struck out three.
Chris Martin was initially summoned to work the ninth, but he was pulled before recording an out due to right elbow tightness. That setback coupled with setup man Robert Garcia having worked each of the past two days forced manager Bruce Bochy to turn to Armstrong, who struck out the side on 17 pitches for his first save of the year. Luke Jackson is currently managing a hand injury, so Armstrong could be in line for a short-term boost in high-leverage work until Texas' bullpen gets healthier. Armstrong owns a 3.06 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB over 17.2 innings this season.
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Rangers' Shawn Armstrong: MLB deal with Texas
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The Rangers signed Armstrong to a one-year contract Monday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
Armstrong spent time with three different teams in 2024, finishing with a 4.86 ERA and 66:25 K:BB over 66.2 innings between the Rays, Cardinals and Cubs. The 34-year-old righty should operate in middle relief for Texas.
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Shawn Armstrong: Reaches free agency
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The Cubs released Armstrong on Tuesday.
Armstrong cleared waivers after being designated for assignment last week and is now a free agent. The veteran reliever will look for a new club this offseason after collecting a 4.86 ERA and 66:25 K:BB over 66.2 innings for the Rays, Cardinals and Cubs in 2024.
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Cubs' Shawn Armstrong: Claimed by Cubs
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The Cubs claimed Armstrong off waivers Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Armstrong was acquired by the Cardinals from the Rays in late July as part of the trade package for Dylan Carlson. Armstrong posted a 2.84 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over 12.2 innings with St. Louis, but he was designated for assignment Tuesday. He'll stay in the NL Central and give the Cubs much-needed bullpen depth after Julian Merryweather was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to right knee tendinitis.
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Cardinals' Shawn Armstrong: Jettisoned from 40-man roster
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The Cardinals designated Armstrong for assignment Tuesday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Armstrong was acquired from the Rays in the Dylan Carlson trade and has pitched well with a 2.84 ERA and 12:2 K:BB over 12.2 innings. The Cardinals are likely hoping the right-hander gets claimed so they can clear a bit of salary. Riley O'Brien will replace Armstrong on the roster and in the bullpen.
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Cardinals' Shawn Armstrong: Picks up first win with new team
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Armstrong (3-2) earned the win Sunday over the Twins, retiring both batters he faced.
Armstrong has been moderately effective in a middle-relief role since joining the Cardinals, allowing four runs over 11.1 innings across 10 appearances. He's added an 11:2 K:BB in that span. For the year, Armstrong has a 4.97 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 61:21 K:BB, one save and three holds over 58 innings between the Cardinals and the Rays. Given the success of St. Louis' high-leverage relievers, Armstrong is unlikely to move up the hierarchy.
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Cardinals' Shawn Armstrong: Acquired by St. Louis
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The Cardinals acquired Armstrong from the Rays on Tuesday in exchange for outfielder Dylan Carlson, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Armstrong was dominant in 2023 with a 1.38, 0.90 WHIP and 54:11 K:BB over 52 innings, but he's labored this season with 5.40 ERA in 38 appearances. The right-hander should primarily work in middle relief for the Cardinals.
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Rays' Shawn Armstrong: Serving as opener Sunday
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Armstrong will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Sunday's game against the Reds, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Armstrong will open his seventh game of the season and will likely throw one or two innings before giving way to Tyler Alexander, who is expected to work in bulk relief. Armstrong threw two scoreless innings with four strikeouts Tuesday while serving as an opener in the Rays' game against the Blue Jays.
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Rays' Shawn Armstrong: Opening Tuesday's contest
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Armstrong will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Armstrong will draw his sixth opener assignment of the season and is unlikely to work more than an inning or two Tuesday before exiting the game. The Rays plan to call up lefty Tyler Alexander from Triple-A Durham ahead of Tuesday's contest, and he'll be in line to work in bulk relief behind Armstrong.
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Rays' Shawn Armstrong: Slated to open Thursday's game
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Armstrong will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Thursday's game against the Athletics.
He'll likely work no more than an inning or two before giving way to lefty Tyler Alexander, who is expected to operate as a bulk reliever. Armstrong has previously been used as an opener four times this season, striking out 11 over six innings while allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks.
Armstrong will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.
Armstrong will draw his third "start" of the season, but he hasn't recorded more than six outs in any of his eight appearances and is unlikely to work more than once through the batting order, if that. Manager Kevin Cash hasn't outlined his plans for once Armstrong exits the game, but Tyler Alexander is available on his standard four days' rest and will presumably operate as a bulk reliever after tossing 5.1 scoreless innings in his last start Friday against the Yankees.
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Rays' Shawn Armstrong: Serving as opener Sunday
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Armstrong will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Sunday's game against the Giants, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.
Armstrong isn't expected to work more than an inning or two before turning the game over to Tyler Alexander, who is slated to work as a bulk reliever. Through four appearances (one start) this season, Armstrong has covered 6.1 innings while striking out five and allowing four earned runs on six hits and four walks.
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Rays' Shawn Armstrong: Two-inning save Sunday
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Armstrong pitched two innings, allowing one run on a hit and a walk while striking out one batter and securing a save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Rockies.
Armstrong was called upon to protect a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the eighth frame, entering the game with no outs and the bases loaded. He was able to escape the inning unscathed before surrendering a run in the bottom of the ninth frame, but he was able to secure his first save of the 2024 campaign. Armstrong has been shaky at best so far this season, giving up five runs (four earned) over 6.1 innings in four appearances with Tampa Bay.
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Rays' Shawn Armstrong: Serving as opener
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Armstrong will be used as an opener in Sunday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
It's not an unfamiliar role for Armstrong, who has been an opener on nine occasions for the Rays over the last two seasons. Tyler Alexander is poised to follow Armstrong as the bulk reliever.
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Rays' Shawn Armstrong: Hurls two scoreless frames
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Armstrong did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing two hits over two scoreless innings against Colorado while striking out two.
Armstrong allowed two hits in the first inning but managed to pitch his way out of it before going 1-2-3 through the second frame. The 32-year-old reliever has not allowed a run over his last five outings, racking up 12 strikeouts to only one walk over that stretch (8.2 innings). He has, however, surrendered multiple hits in three of his last six appearances.
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Rays' Shawn Armstrong: Opening pitcher for bullpen day
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Armstrong is scheduled to serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Thursday's game against the Rockies, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
He'll draw a starting assignment for the fifth time this season but likely won't be asked to cover more than few innings before exiting the contest. The Rays haven't named a designated bulk reliever to work behind Armstrong, but Erasmo Ramirez is available on five days' rest and looks like the Tampa Bay bullpen arm most likely to work the longest during Thursday's contest.
