The Tampa Bay Rays are making a minor trade to add to their bullpen depth, acquiring right-hander Shawn Armstrong from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for cash considerations. Roch Kubatko of MASN was the first to report the deal.
According to a source, #orioles are close to finalizing deal that sends RHP Shawn Armstrong to the #rays
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) July 30, 2021
Armstrong, who turns 31 in September, appeared in 20 games with the Orioles in 2021, amassing no record and an 8.55 earned run average. He had been designated for assignment by Baltimore on June 4, and outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk.
The right-hander had a breakout year in 2020, going 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA in 14 relief appearances, but a lack of command saw his WH/IP rate jump from 0.800 to 1.900.
Armstrong will report to Triple-A Durham. The Rays have not confirmed the deal.
Steve Carney is the founder and publisher of St. Pete Nine. One of the people most associated with baseball coverage in Tampa Bay, he spent 13 seasons covering the Rays for flagship radio station WDAE, first as producer of Rays Radio broadcasts, then as beat reporter beginning in 2011. He likes new analytics and aged bourbon, and is the owner of one of the ugliest knuckleballs ever witnessed by baseball scouts.
