Shawn Armstrong - Page 5 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Set to open Saturday's game Armstrong will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Saturday would have been Zack Littell's turn in the rotation, but he ended up covering 1.1 innings in relief in Friday's 11-4 loss. The Rays also deployed another starting pitcher in Taj Bradley for one inning in relief Friday, likely in a deliberate attempt by manager Kevin Cash to keep all of his rotation options available for a possible wild-card round matchup with this same Blue Jays squad. As a result, the Rays look poised to lean on a melange of relievers to cover the final two games of the regular season, with Armstrong leading off Saturday's contest. Armstrong hasn't covered more than three innings in any of his appearances in the majors or minors this season, so he's unlikely to work deep into Saturday's game to qualify for a win.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hurls two scoreless frames Armstrong did not factor into the decision Thursday, allowing two hits over two scoreless innings against Colorado while striking out two.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Opening pitcher for bullpen day 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.

Impact He'll draw a starting assignment for the fifth time this season but likely won't be asked to cover more than 1-to-3 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.

AUGUST 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hurls two scoreless frames Armstrong did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing two hits and one walk over two scoreless innings against Cleveland. He struck out three.

Impact Armstrong managed to keep the Guardians at bay for the first two innings, though it took the right-hander 28 pitches just to make it through the second frame. He was then relieved by Erasmo Ramirez after recording three strikeouts for the second straight outing. Armstrong has allowed just two runs since June 27, posting a 24:4 K:BB over that stretch (spanning 20.1 innings). He's also allowed just one home run all season.

AUGUST 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Opening on Saturday Armstrong will serve as an opener for the Rays on Saturday versus the Guardians, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact It's not clear who is in line for bulk relief for the Rays, but they have a few candidates and could also make a roster move prior to the game. The opener assignment will be Armstrong's fourth this season.

AUGUST 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Serving as opener Armstrong will open the second half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Royals, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Impact The Rays may be playing two games in one day, but they only had to use two members of a well-rested bullpen in the afternoon contest, so Armstrong won't face much pressure to eat innings. He did throw three innings as an opener in his final appearance before the break, but he hasn't lasted more than two frames in any of his over 12 appearances. Cooper Criswell is expected to follow Armstrong as the bulk reliever.

JULY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Thursday Armstrong will start Thursday's game against the Phillies, source reports.

Impact Armstrong has made four starts in his career -- most recently serving as an opener June 7 against the Twins. Armstrong holds an impressive 1.15 ERA and 1.02 WHIP through 15.2 frames this season, and he'll likely only pitch one or two innings before turning it over to the Rays' bullpen.

JULY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Opening Wednesday's game Armstrong will serve as the Rays' opening pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Twins, Kristie Ackert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact After being on the shelf all season with a neck issue, Armstrong was activated from the 60-day injured list last weekend and tossed two scoreless frames out of the bullpen in his 2023 MLB debut Sunday in Boston. The Rays may allow Armstrong to work into the third inning while he serves as an opener Wednesday, but right-hander Cooper Criswell is the top candidate to operate as a bulk reliever behind Armstrong and is thus the likelier of the two pitchers to qualify for a win.

JUNE 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returns from injury Armstrong (neck) was activated off the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Impact A neck injury has kept Armstrong out all season, but he could be a key piece of the Rays' bullpen the rest of the way. After being released by the Marlins last May and returning to Tampa, he recorded a 3.60 ERA backed by a 26.0 percent strikeout rate and 6.0 percent walk rate the rest of the way, earning a pair of saves. Joe La Sorsa was designated for assignment to create space on the 40-man roster.

JUNE 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Activation imminent Armstrong (neck) is expected to be activated from the injured list sometime this weekend, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Armstrong has been out all season with a neck injury, but he's looked ready on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham, holding a 2.00 ERA and 8:2 K:BB over nine innings of work. The 32-year-old is on the 60-day IL, so the Rays will have to clear a spot on the 40-man roster in addition to the 26-man roster.

JUNE 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Thriving early on during rehab Armstrong (neck) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on May 16 and has struck out six over six innings while allowing two runs on one hit and two walks through his first...

Impact Since he's been sidelined since spring training with the neck injury, Armstrong will be eligible for activation from the 60-day injured list whenever the Rays deem him ready. The right-hander has looked sharp over the course of his rehab assignment and could work his way back into Tampa Bay's late-inning mix, which looks more unsettled at the moment after closer Pete Fairbanks (hip) was placed on the 15-day IL on Monday.

MAY 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Close to rehab assignment Armstrong (neck) is close to beginning a rehab assignment, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Armstrong missed all of spring training and the first month of the season with a neck injury, but he's almost ready for game action. He's on the 60-day injured list and, thus, not eligible for activation until late May.

MAY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Moved to 60-day IL Armstrong was transferred to the 60-day injured list by the Rays on Monday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Impact The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Cooper Criswell. Armstrong has been dealing with a neck issue since spring training and now can't return until at least late May.

APRIL 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on 15-day IL Armstrong was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with a neck injury.

Impact Armstrong is opening the year on the injured list as expected because of his neck issues. The right-hander is expected to miss the first two weeks of the season and will likely work as a setup man upon his return to the Rays.

MARCH 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sidelined to begin season Rays manager Kevin Cash said Tuesday that Armstrong (neck) is expected to begin the season on the injured list, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. "It's highly unlikely he...

Impact Armstrong has been sidelined all spring with a neck issue, and though he could theoretically have a chance at being ready to go for Opening Day if he accelerates his throwing program over the next three weeks, the reliever doesn't appear to have made enough tangible progress in his recovery from the injury up to this point in camp to put himself on track for the start of the regular season. Whenever he's back to 100 percent, Armstrong could be a factor in the middle innings or as a setup man after logging a 3.60 ERA and two saves across 43 appearances for Tampa Bay in 2022 after signing with the team last May.

MARCH 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sidelined with neck injury Armstrong has been sidelined during camp with a neck injury, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact It's unclear how severe the injury is. The right-hander was a key contributor to the Rays bullpen in 2022 with a 3.60 ERA and 1.27 WHIP, and he agreed to a one-year, $1.2 million deal to avoid arbitration last month. If healthy, he should be a middle-relief or set-up option for Tampa Bay in 2023.

FEBRUARY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Avoids arbitration Armstrong signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Rays on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Impact After being released by Miami and signed by Tampa Bay in May, Armstrong recorded a 3.60 ERA and 1.27 WHIP as a member of the Rays bullpen. His impressive 9.63 K/9 from last year also makes him a candidate to pitch more often in high-leverage situations in 2023.

JANUARY 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rays miss chance to clinch, lose 2-1 as Guardians rally late

Rookies Oscar Gonzalez and Steven Kwan drove in runs in the eighth inning as the Cleveland Guardians kept Tampa Bay from clinching one of the AL’s three wild-card spots, rallying t...

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 • Associated Press

Wander Franco drives in 3 as Rays beat Blue Jays 10-5

Wander Franco had three RBIs, Jonathan Aranda homered and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 10-5 in the opener of a big four-game series between playoff contenders

SEPTEMBER 23, 2022 • Associated Press

Rays beat Rangers 5-1, keep pace in AL wild-card race

Taylor Walls homered, six Tampa Bay pitchers combined on a six-hitter and the Rays beat the Texas Rangers 5-1

SEPTEMBER 18, 2022 • Associated Press

Serving as opener Saturday Armstrong will serve as the opener during Saturday's game against the Rangers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Armstrong tossed 48 pitches during Tuesday's matchup against the Blue Jays, and he'll begin Saturday's game on the mound after having a few days of rest. Ryan Yarbrough will likely follow Armstrong as the primary pitcher.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Earns first save Armstrong picked up the save in a perfect inning Monday against the Angels. He struck out one.

Impact Armstrong entered the Rays' saves carousel with his first save of the season Monday, as he retired the Angels in order to end the game. Interestingly, manager Kevin Cash turned to lockdown reliever Jason Adam in the eighth, opening the door for Armstrong to earn the save. The righty is now the 10th reliever to earn a save for Tampa Bay, so it is unlikely that he will provide many more down the stretch as the team tends to move players in and out of ninth inning duties.

AUGUST 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Takes loss against Yankees Armstrong (0-1) surrendered one earned run on one hit in the ninth inning Thursday against the Yankees to take the loss.

Impact Armstrong entered the game in the ninth inning with the score knotted at one. He retired the first batter he faced but surrendered a home run to Anthony Rizzo to take the loss. Since being recalled by the Rays on May 31, Armstrong has allowed two earned runs across 8.1 innings while maintaining an 11:2 K:BB.

JUNE 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rizzo HR in 9th, Yanks edge Rays for 14th straight home win

Anthony Rizzo hit a solo home run with one out in the ninth inning and the streaking New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 for their 14th straight home win

JUNE 17, 2022 • Associated Press

Receives call from Triple-A Tampa Bay selected Armstrong's contract from Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Impact The Rays designated lefty reliever Ben Bowden for assignment and placed shortstop Wander Franco (quadriceps) on the 10-day injured list. Before signing with the Rays on a minor-league deal earlier this month, Armstrong made seven appearances in the majors with Miami this season, covering 6.2 innings and giving up eight earned runs on 10 hits and three walks.

MAY 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

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Rays miss chance to clinch, lose 2-1 as Guardians rally late

Wander Franco drives in 3 as Rays beat Blue Jays 10-5

Rays beat Rangers 5-1, keep pace in AL wild-card race

Rizzo HR in 9th, Yanks edge Rays for 14th straight home win