Shawn

Armstrong

Armstrong returns to Cleveland’s bullpen mix after missing two months with a left calf strain. The 36-year-old veteran reliever is back for Wednesday’s contest against the Red Sox. He’s compiled a serviceable 4.91 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 33/19 K/BB ratio across 33 innings this season.

Armstrong is facing a lengthy absence after hitting the shelf with a left calf strain back in late July. He’s likely to miss the remainder of the regular season. The procedural move opened up a spot on Cleveland’s 40-man roster at the trade deadline.

Armstrong is going to miss at least a couple weeks after suffering the injury while backing up home plate during Friday’s game against the Rays. The 35-year-old has posted a serviceable 4.91 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 33/19 K/BB ratio across 33 innings this season. There should be a definitive return timetable at some point in the coming days.

Armstrong was just backing up home plate when a misstep left him with what looked like a pretty serious strain. He’ll probably go on the IL on Saturday. Will Dion, who was sent down Friday, could come right back to the majors.

Armstrong been sidelined for almost a month with the injury. He should settle right back into a regular role in the middle innings for the Guardians.

It’s a tough break for the Guardians, as Armstrong has been one of their most reliable bullpen arms this season. Colin Holderman was recalled from Triple-A Columbus in a corresponding move to take his place on Sunday.

The 35-year-old Armstrong arrives in Cleveland after a terrific season in which he had a 2.31 ERA in 74 innings for the Rangers. Still, there isn’t any telling what Armstrong will give a team on a year-to-year basis. In the five big-league seasons in which he’s pitched at least 50 innings, he’s finished with ERA of 5.74 (2019), 4.38 (2022), 1.38 (2023), 4.86 (2024) and 2.31. His career ERA is 3.82, but he’s never actually finished in the 3.00s once in the 11 years since his debut. The Guardians figure to have him help set up for Cade Smith.

Cleveland continues loading up on experienced high-leverage relief arms this offseason with Armstrong becoming the latest addition to their setup mix. He figures to operate in a versatile setup role behind young stopper Cade Smith. The 35-year-old journeyman was outstanding for the Rangers this past season, converting a career-high nine saves to accompany a sparkling 2.31 ERA — 3.07 FIP — 0.81 WHIP and 74/20 K/BB ratio across 74 innings. His 26.1 percent strikeout rate was his highest single-season mark in nearly a half decade.

After the Rangers took a one-run lead in the top of the ninth, Phil Maton recorded the first out in the bottom of the inning and gave up a base hit before Armstrong was called on to close things out. He worked around another hit, striking out two batters to preserve the win and convert his ninth save of the season.

It looked like the Rangers would give Shawn Armstrong a chance for a two-inning save today, but after retiring four in a row, he walked Isaac Collins with one out in the ninth. Maton entered then and retired Brice Turang and Jackson Chourio for his first save since Aug. 5. Armstrong remains the favorite for saves in Texas.