The Tampa Bay Rays have come to terms on a one-year deal with veteran relief pitcher Shawn Armstrong to avoid arbitration, MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Thursday morning.
Armstrong will make $2.05 million in 2024, per Morosi, after making $1.2 million in 2023. MLB Trade Rumors initially projected Armstrong to make $1.8 million.
This was Armstrong's final year of arbitration eligibility. He is set to hit free agency next November.
Armstrong got his start with the then-Cleveland Indians in 2015, remaining with the team until he was traded to the Seattle Mariners in late 2017. From there, Armstrong bounced around to the Baltimore Orioles, Rays, Miami Marlins and then the Rays again.
The right-hander has posted five seasons with a sub-3.00 ERA, but also multiple seasons with an ERA over 5.00.
Armstrong had a career year in 2023, going 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA, 0.904 WHIP and 1.7 WAR in 39 appearances, six of which came as an opener. The 32-year-old has a 2.78 ERA across his 123.0 innings as a Ray.
The deadline for teams to sign arbitration-eligible players is scheduled for Thursday at 1 p.m., but they have until 8 p.m. to exchange proposed salary figures for a potential arbitration hearing.
Nine arbitration-eligible Rays players remain unsigned, several of whom are critical to the club's success this season and beyond: Outfielder Randy Arozarena, starting pitcher Shane McClanahan, third baseman Isaac Paredes, starting pitcher Aaron Civale, reliever Jason Adam, designated hitter Harold Ramirez, reliever Colin Poche, starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen and part-time starting pitcher Zack Littell.
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