PEORIA, Ariz. - Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto announced today from Spring Training that the Mariners have designated for assignment right-handed pitcher Shawn Armstrong.
Seattle has 7 days to trade, release or outright the contract of Armstrong to the minor leagues.
Armstrong, 27, appeared in 3 Cactus League games with the Mariners this spring, allowing 1 run on 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 6 in 4.2 innings pitched. He split the 2017 season between AAA Columbus and Cleveland. With the Indians, he was 1-0 with a 4.38 ERA (12 ER, 24.2 IP) with 20 strikeouts in 21 relief appearances over nine stints. Over his final 18 Major League outings, he posted a 2.91 ERA (7 ER, 21.2 IP) with 18 strikeouts. In 28 relief games with Columbus, he was 1-1 with 10 saves and a 3.07 ERA (10 ER, 29.1 IP) with 36 strikeouts, striking out 11.0 batters per 9.0 innings.
In parts of three Major League seasons, he is 1-0 with a 3.53 ERA (17 ER, 43.1 IP) with 38 strikeouts in 39 games with Cleveland. In his minor league career, he is 15-12 with 54 saves and a 2.37 ERA (77 ER, 292.2 IP) with 393 strikeouts in 251 appearances, all in relief. He was selected by Cleveland in the 18th round of the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of East Carolina University (Greenville, NC).