Armstrong, Stephan now free agents after Guards decline '27 options

CLEVELAND -- The Guardians made their first wave of offseason roster moves on Friday, in announcing they've declined their half of right-hander Shawn Armstrong's mutual option and right-hander Trevor Stephan’s club option for the 2027 season.

Armstrong’s mutual option was worth $8 million vs. a $1.5 million buyout, and Stephan’s option was worth $7.25 million vs. a $1.25 million buyout. Both are now free agents.

Additionally, the Guards selected infielder Milan Tolentino’s contract from Triple-A Columbus. Cleveland’s 40-man roster now stands at 36.

The Guardians signed Armstrong to a one-year deal with the mutual option last December, adding the veteran as a high-leverage option for manager Stephen Vogt’s bullpen. The 36-year-old had an uneven season interrupted by injury, before he finished on a high note in the playoffs.

Armstrong logged a 4.58 ERA, a 1.39 WHIP and a 4.43 FIP in 35 1/3 innings over 41 appearances. He suffered a left calf strain on July 24 that threatened to sideline him for the rest of 2026, but he returned from the 60-day injured list in time to make three appearances in the final week of the regular season.

Armstrong then emerged as a steady member of Cleveland’s postseason pitching staff, while recording a 1.04 ERA with six strikeouts and zero walks in 8 2/3 innings over seven appearances. That included two starts as an opener, in Games 4 and 6 of the American League Championship Series.

Armstrong signing with the Guardians marked a return to his first MLB organization. Cleveland selected him in the 18th round of the 2011 MLB Draft, and he spent his first three big league campaigns with the club from ‘15-17.

Despite Friday's news, Armstrong could be a logical offseason target for the Guardians in the bullpen market. For his part, he expressed a desire to return next season.

“I've been here for a year, and it feels like I've been with this group for five years. The entire reason you're signing back here is to come back where it all started,” Armstrong said after Game 6 of the ALCS. “I would love to be back here in Cleveland.

“It’s obviously up to the front office at that point. But at the end of the day, yeah, I would love to be back here and be a Cleveland Guardian next year, too.”

Stephan was a steady presence in the Guardians' bullpen in 2022 (2.69 ERA over 66 appearances), and he signed a four-year extension in '23 that included club options for the ‘27 and ‘28 seasons. But he has not pitched in the Majors the past three campaigns.

Stephan underwent Tommy John surgery during 2024 Spring Training and returned to game action in the Minors in ‘25. The Guardians outrighted him off the 40-man roster that August, as he worked to regain velocity on his fastball post-surgery.

Stephan spent the bulk of 2026 with Columbus. The 30-year-old recorded an 11.12 ERA in 22 2/3 innings over 22 appearances.

Vogt felt Tolentino, who was a non-roster invitee this spring, had one of the strongest performances among any player in Guardians camp. He spent the entire season with Columbus, slashing .225/.328/.453 with 25 doubles, 21 home runs, 74 RBIs and 65 walks with 157 strikeouts.

Tolentino (who will turn 25 on Nov. 17) adds another versatile player to the Guardians’ 40-man roster. He split his time between shortstop (70 appearances), third base (39) second (18), left field (two) and center (two) with the Clippers this past season.