The Rays announced they’ve selected the contract of right-hander Shawn Armstrong. Infielder Mike Brosseau was optioned to Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move. To create space on the 40-man roster, Tampa Bay designated infielder Kevin Padlo for assignment.
The Rays added Armstrong from the Orioles for cash considerations just before the trade deadline. While he began the year on Baltimore’s big league roster, he was passed through outright waivers in July. Because of that, the Rays didn’t need to place Armstrong on the 40-man roster at the time of the trade, but they’ve elected to add him a few weeks later as they continue to shuffle around a tired relief corps.
Armstrong made twenty appearances with the O’s earlier this year. He was tagged for twenty runs in as many innings out of the bullpen, thanks largely to the five home runs he surrendered. That said, he also generated swinging strikes at a quality 13% clip and allowed only three earned runs over fifteen frames with Baltimore last season.
The 30-year-old Armstrong has had a solid season at Triple-A. Between the two teams’ top affiliates, he’s posted a 3.57 ERA with a quality 27.2% strikeout rate and a lower than average 6.8% walk percentage. That high minors work has earned him another look at the highest level. Armstrong is out of minor league options, so the Rays will need to keep him on the active roster from here on out or place him back on waivers.
The Rays’ tinkering on the pitching staff costs Padlo his spot on the 40-man roster. The 25-year-old has picked up his first fourteen big league plate appearances this year but has spent the rest of the season with Durham. It’s been a miserable year there for Padlo, who’s hitting just .194/.270/.379 across 282 plate appearances.
Those struggles are new for Padlo, who had a fantastic 2019 season in the high minors. The right-handed hitter showed enough power and patience to offset lofty strikeout totals, hitting .265/.389/.538 between Double-A and Triple-A. That earned him a place on the 40-man roster that winter, but he’ll lose his spot amidst his struggles this season. Padlo will be placed on waivers over the coming days.
Padlo had promise, and now his future with the org is uncertain. I really liked this guy, too. I’m guessing some team will take their chances with him. I wish him the best.
Yep. Dude can rake, one rough year at aaa notwithstanding. But hey, we can sacrifice him for one game of Armstrong…before he is dfa’d!
The last piece of the ill fated German Marquez trade, one of the few the Rays would want back. One good year, which folks have to realize sometimes is a small sample size. And he’s a complete galoof defensively. That said, I can see him in Baltimore.
Armstrong really, really stinks. If PC Kyle Snyder can turn HIM around, ‘Miracle Worker” doesn’t begin to describe it.
Padlo seems a good waiver wire get. Especially for a bad team.
Padlo would be a good pickup for Baltimore. Then we can drop Gutierrez/Stewart/Valdez off of the roster.
im also available to pitch if Tampa needs me
“Lies, d*mn lies, and statistics.” Baseball has taken this to a new level. Dude has an era of 9, but those swinging strikes! Forget what happens when they actually hit it!
Maybe the author is just trying to assuage Rays fans ‘ concerns? (He’ll pitch a few innings then get dfa’d, it’s the method)
The true irony would be if he was a soft armed pitcher.
The best part is Armstrong’s 40+% k% and sub 5% walk rate since he’s been up with the Rays