Shawn

Armstrong

Armstrong was designated for assignment last week. He had a 4.86 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 66 strikeouts in 66 2/3 innings for the Rays, Cardinals and Cubs this year. The 34-year-old is free to sign with any team.

Armstrong was claimed off waivers by the Cubs less than a month ago after he was designated for assignment by the Cardinals. Now he’s been designated for assignment again as the corresponding move for the Cubs activation of Hayden Wesneski from the injured list. Armstrong had a 4.86 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 66 strikeouts in 66 2/3 innings with the Rays, Cardinals and Cubs combined this year.

The 33-year-old hurler — who was acquired from the Rays at the trade deadline — was designated for assignment by the Cardinals earlier in the week. Armstrong pitched well in his time with the Cardinals, posting a 2.84 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and a 12/2 K/BB ratio over 12 2/3 innings. He could quickly ascend to a high-leverage role in the Cubs’ bullpen.

This one certainly qualifies as a surprise since Armstrong has pitched extremely well for the Cardinals since coming over from the Rays at last month’s trade deadline, registering a strong 2.84 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 12/2 K/BB ratio across 12 2/3 innings (11 appearances).

Both teams were happy with the results of the Andrew Kittredge-Richie Palacios trade over the winter, so they’ll try something very similar here. Armstrong, a 33-year-old journeyman reliever, got some attention for posting a 1.38 ERA in 52 innings last season, but he’s at 5.40 in 46 2/3 innings right now. His peripherals suggest he’s been pretty unlucky, so he might be able to help the Cardinals in the middle innings.

Shawn Armstrong will start and function as an opener for the Rays with Alexander coming in behind him. The 30-year-old southpaw holds a 5.88 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and a 52/13 K/BB ratio over 59 2/3 innings in 12 appearances (six starts) for the Rays this season.

Armstrong served as the Rays’ opener on Tuesday night, tossing 34 pitchers over two frames while allowing two baserunners. Both runners came in the first inning, while Armstrong closed things out with a perfect second inning. Armstrong has started in just six of the 37 games he’s appeared in this season and will likely move back to the bullpen.

Shawn Armstrong will start the game but then Alexander will take over for bulk work. It’s not a bad change for Alexander since coming in as the bulk reliever doesn’t require him to pitch five innings in order to qualify for the win. It’s a role we saw Ryan Yarbrough thrive in with the Rays in the past and makes Alexander an intriguing streamer in deeper formats.

Armstrong took over for Phil Maton in the 8th and got the Rays out of a bases-loaded jam with a fielder’s choice and then a double play. The Rays decided to let him go back out for the 9th and he allowed a walk and a run-scoring single before getting two outs to end the game. Despite Pete Fairbanks struggling on Friday night, there is not a closer change happening in Tampa Bay. Armstrong is really only an option in leagues that reward holds.

Armstrong is another unheralded reliever who has been effective for Tampa either out of their bullpen or as an opener. In 52 innings in 2023, Armstrong pitched to a 1.38 ERA, 0.904 WHIP, and a 54/11 K/BB ratio. He’ll be an important part of the Rays’ bullpen again in 2024.