One of Rangers' best relievers from 2025 hoping to return to Texas in free agency

Free agent righty reliever Shawn Armstrong wants to return to Rangers

Free agent reliever Shawn Armstrong is hoping to return to the Rangers, according to DLLS Sports' Jeff Wilson. Wilson said Armstrong is "likely" seeking a two-year contract.

Armstrong, 35, pitched a career-high 74 innings with Texas last season. He posted a 2.31 ERA (3.07 FIP) with a 26.1% strikeout rate, 7.0% walk rate and nine saves in 2025. He also limited hard hits, managing a 34.2% hard-hit rate.

Armstrong's fastball averaged 93.5 mph this past season. He also throws a low-90s cutter, mid-90s sinker, mid-80s sweeper and mid-80s slurve. He uses all of his pitches about the same amount of time, except for his slurve.

Rangers should offer Armstrong a contract this offseason

The Rangers need to rebuild their bullpen after Armstrong, Josh Sborz, Jacob Webb, Danny Coulombe, Phil Maton, Chris Martin and Hoby Milner entered free agency this offseason. Bringing back Armstrong, who led Texas' bullpen with 1.3 fWAR and 1.5 bWAR this past season, would be a good start in ensuring the bullpen won't be a complete disaster next year. Having him for 2027 would be a way to give the Rangers one less thing to worry about next offseason as well.

Armstrong made his MLB debut with the Cleveland Indians in 2015. In parts of three seasons with Cleveland, he posted a 3.53 ERA with 38 strikeouts and 17 walks over 43 1/3 innings.

The Indians sent Armstrong to the Seattle Mariners during the 2017/18 offseason in exchange for future considerations. He had a 1.23 ERA in 14 games for Seattle in 2018, then struggled with a 14.73 ERA over four games in 2019. The Baltimore Orioles claimed Armstrong off waivers after he was designated for assignment in April 2019.

Armstrong had a 5.74 ERA across 55 games for Baltimore in 2019, then managed a 1.80 ERA during the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season. After Armstrong posted a 5.13 ERA over 51 games in 2021, the Orioles sent him to the Tampa Bay Rays for cash. He had a 4.50 ERA across 11 games with Tampa Bay to finish the season.

After the 2021 season, Armstrong signed a minor league deal with the Miami Marlins. He gave up 10 runs in seven appearances for Miami before being designated for assignment and electing free agency, which led to him signing with the Rays. He had a 3.60 ERA in 43 games with the Rays in 2022 and a 1.38 ERA in 39 games with Tampa Bay in 2023. Then, in July 2024, the Rays dealt him to the St. Louis Cardinals. St. Louis designated him for assignment after he posted a 2.84 ERA over 11 innings. He finished the year with the Chicago Cubs, managing a 4.91 ERA over eight outings.