Shawn Armstrong's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

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.

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.