Armstrong earned a save against the Padres on Saturday by retiring the only batter he faced.

EDGE Analysis

Texas held a three-run lead going into the bottom of the ninth inning, and manager Bruce Bochy turned to top closer Robert Garcia to close things out. However, Garcia struggled, loading the bases with two outs. Bochy then turned to Armstrong, who got Xander Bogaerts to ground into a fielder's choice to end the game. The save was the third of the season for Armstrong, who notched his other two saves across a three-game span in mid-May. Garcia has been a bit shaky of late, but he's still the most likely reliever to get the call the next time a save situation arises.

Armstrong (2-2) took the loss against the Royals on Thursday, allowing two runs on one hit and one walk while striking out one batter in the first inning.

EDGE Analysis

With Nathan Eovaldi (triceps) on the injured list, the Rangers turned to Armstrong and the rest of the bullpen to fill the gap in the rotation. Armstrong took to the mound to start Thursday's game, but he gave up a two-run homer to Vinnie Pasquantino and was tagged with the loss as the Rangers were unable to muster up enough offense. Armstrong could serve as the opener next week against the Orioles at Camden Yards if Eovaldi is not cleared to return from the IL.

Armstrong will start Thursday's game against the Royals, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Rangers are going to rely on their bullpen to get them through Thursday's series finale, and they will once again call upon Armstrong to start the game after also pitching the first three innings of Friday's win over the White Sox. The 34-year-old righty has been enjoying a nice bounce-back campaign this year, posting a 3.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP through 30 innings.

Armstrong will start Friday's game against the White Sox, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Armstrong will make his first start of 2025, though he's expected to throw just one or two innings before handing the ball off to another reliever as part of the Rangers' bullpen game. Armstrong hasn't pitched more than two innings in an appearance this season. He has a 3.33 ERA and a 29:13 K:BB over 27 innings on the campaign.

Armstrong walked one in a scoreless and hitless inning to earn the save in Thursday's 1-0 win over the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

This was a game played on narrow margins, and Armstrong got the job done after Jacob deGrom outdueled Hunter Brown over the first eight innings. This was Armstrong's second save in three days, and it appears he's the next man up while Luke Jackson (hand) and Chris Martin (elbow) are unavailable. Armstrong has done fairly well this year with a 2.89 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 20:9 K:BB across 18.2 innings, earning two saves and two holds as well as one blown save in 17 appearances. He's just a temporary closer for now, and it's likely Armstrong will resume more of a middle-relief role once the Rangers' bullpen is healthier.

Armstrong picked up the save after throwing a clean ninth inning in Tuesday's 4-1 win over Colorado. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Chris Martin was initially summoned to work the ninth, but he was pulled before recording an out due to right elbow tightness. That setback coupled with setup man Robert Garcia having worked each of the past two days forced manager Bruce Bochy to turn to Armstrong, who struck out the side on 17 pitches for his first save of the year. Luke Jackson is currently managing a hand injury, so Armstrong could be in line for a short-term boost in high-leverage work until Texas' bullpen gets healthier. Armstrong owns a 3.06 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB over 17.2 innings this season.

The Rangers signed Armstrong to a one-year contract Monday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Armstrong spent time with three different teams in 2024, finishing with a 4.86 ERA and 66:25 K:BB over 66.2 innings between the Rays, Cardinals and Cubs. The 34-year-old righty should operate in middle relief for Texas.

The Cubs released Armstrong on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Armstrong cleared waivers after being designated for assignment last week and is now a free agent. The veteran reliever will look for a new club this offseason after collecting a 4.86 ERA and 66:25 K:BB over 66.2 innings for the Rays, Cardinals and Cubs in 2024.

The Cubs designated Armstrong for assignment Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Cubs claimed Armstrong after he had been jettisoned from the Cardinals' 40-man roster and the veteran reliever will now go through the waiver process again. Armstrong yielded four runs with a 4:4 K:BB over 7.1 frames during his brief time with the Cubs.

The Cubs claimed Armstrong off waivers Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Armstrong was acquired by the Cardinals from the Rays in late July as part of the trade package for Dylan Carlson. Armstrong posted a 2.84 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over 12.2 innings with St. Louis, but he was designated for assignment by the Cardinals on Tuesday. He'll stay within the NL Central and give the Cubs much-needed depth out of the bullpen after Julian Merryweather was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to right knee tendinitis.