Shawn Armstrong DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Shawn Armstrong slammed the door on the Houston Astros on Thursday, picking up his second save in a 1-0 win. Armstrong was tasked with finishing off Jacob deGrom's masterpiece, and succeeded in doing so by pitching around a two-out walk. With Chris Martin and Luke Jackson both nursing minor injuries, Armstrong has reaped the benefits by picking up the last two Rangers saves. The 34-year-old has performed well this year, so it is possible that manager Bruce Bochy decides to stick with Armstrong even when those two return. He's worthy of a speculative pick-up in deeper leagues where saves are valuable, just to see where this situation goes.

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Shawn Armstrong picked up his first save of the season in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Rockies. Armstrong came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth inning with no outs and runners on first and third. Chris Martin (elbow) did face one batter before Armstrong but exited due to elbow tightness. Armstrong shut the door on a potential comeback by striking out the side. The 34-year-old veteran has pitched well this season, converting one of two save opportunities with two holds to go with a 3.06 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP, and a 10.19 K/9 rate in 17 2/3 innings of work. Three different pitchers have seen save opportunities for the Rangers in the last seven days and Luke Jackson (hand) is day-to-day after being hit in the hand by a comebacker. Fantasy managers should wait to see Armstrong earn more high-leverage opportunities before investing a roster spot on him.

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.