The Cleveland Guardians are bringing a familiar face back into the fold, agreeing to a one-year, $5.5 million deal with veteran reliever Shawn Armstrong. It’s a full-circle moment for Armstrong, who returns to the organization that first drafted him back in 2011.
If Armstrong’s name rings a bell, it should - especially if you followed the Rangers closely last season. Texas picked him up on a modest one-year, $1.125 million deal, and all he did was become one of the most reliable arms in their bullpen.
In 71 appearances, Armstrong logged 74 innings with a stellar 2.31 ERA. The advanced metrics backed it up, too - a 3.07 FIP and 2.96 xERA showed his performance wasn’t just smoke and mirrors.
He kept hitters off balance all season long, mixing command with deception and proving to be one of the offseason’s best value signings.
Now, he heads back to Cleveland, where his big-league journey began. Drafted out of East Carolina University in the 18th round, Armstrong made his MLB debut with the Guardians (then Indians) and pitched parts of three seasons in Cleveland from 2015 to 2017.
After that, he bounced around the league, making stops in Seattle, Baltimore, Tampa Bay, Miami, St. Louis, and Chicago before landing with the Rangers in 2025.
This reunion comes at a time when the Guardians are looking to solidify their bullpen with experienced, steady hands. Armstrong fits that mold - a well-traveled, battle-tested righty who’s shown he can handle high-leverage spots. His return isn’t just a nostalgic move; it’s a calculated addition to a team that values depth and durability in its relief corps.
For Cleveland, this is about more than bringing back a familiar name. It’s about adding a reliever who’s coming off one of the best seasons of his career, someone who’s evolved over time and proven he can thrive in multiple roles. Whether he’s bridging the gap to the ninth or locking down tight spots in the middle innings, Armstrong gives the Guardians a versatile weapon out of the pen - and a bit of a homecoming story to go with it.