Cleveland added a proven arm—now the hard part begins, because one roster decision has to give.NL

The Guardians are bringing back a familiar face – and one who’s coming off the best season of his career. Right-hander Shawn Armstrong has agreed to a one-year, $5.5 million deal with a mutual option, marking a homecoming nearly a decade in the making.

Drafted by Cleveland back in 2011, Armstrong made his major league debut with the club in 2015 and pitched parts of three seasons for them before embarking on a well-traveled journey through the league. Since leaving the Guardians in 2017, Armstrong has suited up for seven different teams – the Mariners, Orioles, Rays, Marlins, Cardinals, Cubs, and most recently, the Rangers.

That winding path might suggest instability, but Armstrong’s performance has been anything but erratic. Since 2019, he’s been a steady contributor out of the bullpen, logging at least 36 innings in every full season and topping 52 innings in five of the last six. His strikeout rate has consistently hovered between 22% and 27%, while his walk rate has remained below 9.2% each year during that stretch – a level of consistency that’s quietly made him a valuable arm.

In total, Armstrong has compiled 363 1/3 innings since the start of 2019, posting a 3.96 ERA with a 24.6% strikeout rate and 7.8% walk rate. Those are solid numbers for a reliever, especially one who’s bounced between so many organizations. Still, he entered the 2025 season on a modest $1.25 million deal with Texas – a bargain that turned out to be one of the better value signings of the year.

Armstrong was lights out for the Rangers in 2025. He racked up 74 innings with a 2.31 ERA, striking out 26.1% of the batters he faced and walking just 7%.

His velocity was right around 94 mph on both his four-seam fastball and sinker, and he effectively mixed in a cutter, slider, and curveball to keep hitters off balance. He wasn’t just a middle-innings guy either – Armstrong notched nine saves and 12 holds, showing he could handle high-leverage spots when called upon.

Now, at 35, he’s earned the largest payday of his career – more than quadrupling last year’s salary. And he’s doing it by returning to the team that gave him his first shot in the big leagues.

For Cleveland, this is more than just a feel-good reunion. The Guardians’ bullpen was one of the best in baseball last season, finishing third in the majors with a 3.44 ERA. But they’re facing uncertainty at the back end, with All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase currently under investigation for a gambling scandal that could end his MLB career.

That’s left the Guardians in a tough spot – one where they need to reinforce a strength without overextending financially. They’ve been active in doing just that, making a series of low-cost, high-upside moves to bolster their relief corps.

Armstrong is the latest addition, joining a group that now includes Colin Holderman and Connor Brogdon (both signed to big league deals), Justin Bruihl (acquired from Toronto), and Peyton Pallette (a Rule 5 pick from the White Sox). They’ll join returning arms like Cade Smith and Hunter Gaddis in a bullpen that suddenly looks deep and versatile.

Armstrong’s return isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s about adding a proven, reliable veteran to a unit that may have to navigate some turbulence in 2026. And if his 2025 form carries over, the Guardians might have landed one of the more quietly impactful bullpen arms on the market – all without breaking the bank.