The Guardians reinstated Armstrong (groin) from the 15-day injured list Monday.
Armstrong will be taking over the 26-man active roster and bullpen spot of right-hander Codi Heuer, who was optioned to Triple-A Columbus. Shelved since April 26 due to a right groin strain, Armstrong proved his health after making two rehab appearances with Double-A Akron last week.
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Guardians' Shawn Armstrong: Throws in rehab game
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Armstrong (groin) allowed one hit and struck out one over a scoreless inning for Double-A Akron on Friday, MLB.com reports.
This was the second rehab outing for Armstrong, who also threw an inning Wednesday. The Guardians are determining the next step for the right-hander.
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Guardians' Shawn Armstrong: Kicks off rehab assignment
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Armstrong (groin) allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out two over one inning for Double-A Akron on Tuesday.
Armstrong began a rehab assignment with the RubberDucks on Tuesday. He threw 19 pitches (11 strikes) and will likely need another outing or two before rejoining Cleveland's bullpen. He hasn't pitched since April 21 and can be activated at any time.
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Guardians' Shawn Armstrong: MiLB assignment kicking off Tuesday
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Armstrong (groin) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday with Double-A Akron, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
The Guardians are planning for Armstrong to cover one inning and around 20-to-25 pitches in the appearance, which will be his first since April 21. Armstrong is working his way back from a right groin strain and probably won't need to throw more than a couple of innings on the farm before the Guardians feel comfortable bringing him back from the 15-day injured list.
Armstrong (groin) threw a bullpen session Friday, MLB.com reports.
The Guardians will evaluate Armstrong's response to the session before sending him out on a rehab assignment. The right-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list retroactive to April 23 and can rejoin the club at any time.
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Guardians' Shawn Armstrong: Lands on IL with groin injury
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The Guardians placed Armstrong on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a right groin strain, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Armstrong has been a key part of Cleveland's bullpen this season, appearing in 12 games and registering three holds while posting a 4.22 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 13:7 K:BB over 10.2 innings. To take his spot in the bullpen, the Guardians brought Colin Holderman up from from Triple-A Columbus.
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Guardians' Shawn Armstrong: Earns third hold
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Armstrong struck out one over a scoreless inning to pick up a hold in Friday's 4-1 win over the Cubs.
Armstrong worked a 1-2-3 eighth inning, his first appearance without allowing baserunners, to earn his third hold of the season. After giving up a home run in his initial outing, Armstrong hasn't allowed a run in four subsequent appearances (3.2 IP). The right-hander has allowed five base runners during the scoreless streak but has managed to work around the traffic.
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Guardians' Shawn Armstrong: Gets one-year deal from Cleveland
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The Guardians signed Armstrong to a one-year, $5.5 million contract Thursday that includes a mutual option for 2027, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
The 35-year-old Armstrong had arguably the best season of his career in 2025 with the Rangers, putting up a 2.31 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 74:20 K:BB over 74 innings. It's a return to the organization that drafted him and where he debuted back in 2015 for Armstrong. The right-hander should be used in a setup role ahead of closer Cade Smith.
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Rangers' Shawn Armstrong: Nails down ninth save
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Armstrong recorded his ninth save of the season in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Mets, giving up a hit and striking out two over a scoreless two-thirds of an inning.
Phil Maton got the final out of the eighth inning and the first out of the ninth before handing the ball off to Armstrong after a Juan Soto single. Armstrong did give up a drive into right field by Ronny Mauricio that nearly tied the game, but Dustin Harris was able to cut it off before it got into the corner and limit it to a single, and the right-hander then struck out Brandon Nimmo to end the threat. Armstrong has converted six straight save chances since taking over as the Rangers' primary closer in mid-August, and since the All-Star break he's delivered a dazzling 1.09 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and 26:5 K:BB in 24.2 innings.
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Rangers' Shawn Armstrong: Hangs on for save
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Armstrong picked up the save Tuesday against Milwaukee, allowing one run on two hits and no walks across one inning. He didn't record a strikeout.
Armstrong inherited a two-run lead but surrendered a solo home run to Jake Bauers. He stranded the game-tying run at first base, getting Christian Yelich to line out with Jackson Chourio on base to end the contest. Armstrong has allowed a run in two of his last five appearances, a streak that followed 11.2 consecutive scoreless innings. He's up to eight saves on the year.
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Rangers' Shawn Armstrong: Grabs sixth save
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Armstrong struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Monday's 7-5 extra-inning win over the Diamondbacks.
Armstrong picked up his third save in his last six appearances when he shut the door in the 10th inning. His 11.2-inning scoreless streak was snapped Sunday versus the Athletics, but the right-hander has been one of the Rangers' steadiest bullpen arms lately. He's now at a 2.51 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 63:18 K:BB while adding six saves, 10 holds and three blown saves over 61 innings.
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Rangers' Shawn Armstrong: Collects four-out save
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Armstrong earned his fourth save of the season during Sunday's 10-4 win over the Blue Jays, striking out one batter across 1.1 innings.
The Rangers turned to Armstrong to get the final out in the eighth after Hoby Milner yielded a two-run homer to George Springer and Cole Winn walked two-straight batters. Armstrong helped Texas escape the frame by getting Alejandro Kirk out and stayed on to close things out in the ninth, ending the game by striking out Myles Straw. In 14 appearances since the All-Star break, Armstrong has allowed just one run on five hits and two walks while striking out 16 over 13.1 innings.
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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.
