The Cleveland Guardians have signed free-agent right-hander Shawn Armstrong to a one-year major league contract for 2026, with a mutual option for 2027. The team also designated left-hander Justin Bruihl for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. Armstrong, a former Guardians prospect, returns after a strong 2025 season with the Texas Rangers.
Cleveland, Ohio, serves as the backdrop for a notable reunion in Major League Baseball. On a recent announcement, the Guardians added experienced reliever Shawn Armstrong to their 2026 roster. The 35-year-old right-hander from Vanceboro, North Carolina, signed a major league contract for the upcoming season, including a mutual option for 2027 between the club and player.
To accommodate the move, the Guardians designated left-handed pitcher Justin Bruihl for assignment. Armstrong's path back to Cleveland traces to his early career roots. Selected by the Guardians in the 18th round of the 2011 MLB Draft out of East Carolina University, he appeared in 39 games for the team from 2015 to 2017. He was later acquired by the Seattle Mariners in December 2017.
Armstrong's 2025 performance with the Texas Rangers highlighted his value as a late-inning option. He set career highs with 71 appearances, 74 innings pitched, nine saves, and 74 strikeouts, finishing with a 4-3 record and a 2.31 ERA over 74 innings in 71 games, including two starts. Among qualified American League relievers, his 2.19 ERA in 69 relief outings tied for fifth. In the second half of the season, he posted an impressive 1.13 ERA and an AL-low 0.69 WHIP across 32 innings in 31 games.
League-wide, Armstrong ranked second in WHIP at 0.81 and third in opponents' batting average at .157 among pitchers who threw at least 50 innings. Over his 11-year career with eight teams, he holds a 15-11 record, 17 saves, and a 3.82 ERA in 370 games and 18 starts, totaling 421.1 innings with 379 hits, 179 earned runs, and 434 strikeouts.
This signing bolsters Cleveland's bullpen depth ahead of the 2026 campaign, bringing back a familiar face with proven reliability.
