Rays select veteran reliever Shawn Armstrong

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 20 appearances with the O’s earlier this year. He was tagged for 20 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 14 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.