DETROIT -- Shawn Armstrong spent his time during games at Progressive Field the past few weeks inside the Guardians’ bullpen. It was familiar territory for the veteran reliever, albeit under different circumstances.
Armstrong had been on the 15-day IL since April 26 with a right groin strain, but he wanted to remain around his guys in the bullpen and contribute however he could.
“However I can factor,” Armstrong said, “whether it's folding up hoodies and giving it to the ball boy while I'm on the IL, whatever. I just want to be down there and be a part of them, and keep the same vibe day in and day out.”
The Guardians activated Armstrong off the IL prior to Monday’s series opener against the Tigers. In a corresponding move, Cleveland optioned right-hander Codi Heuer to Triple-A Columbus.
Armstrong made a pair of one-inning rehab appearances with Double-A Akron, on Tuesday and Friday ahead of his activation on Monday. He’s feeling good and ready.
“I’m happy to be back,” Armstrong said. “The biggest thing is everything's been feeling good, so that's really all I can ask for. I’m ready to keep doing what this team's been doing while I've been gone.”
The Guardians entered Monday ranked 15th in MLB in bullpen ERA (4.00). They also rank 15th in May, but with a 3.36 ERA in 56 1/3 innings. The group has been trending upward this month.
The Guardians signed Armstrong to a one-year deal on Dec. 21 to add a proven high-leverage option to the bullpen. Over his first 12 outings this season, he recorded a 4.22 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP with 13 strikeouts and seven walks, which included two free passes in a tough outing on April 17 against the Orioles.
Armstrong delivered consecutive scoreless one-inning appearances in his final two outings before going on the IL, at which point he felt things were beginning to click with his velocity and the movement on his pitches.
“We know what he's capable of,” manager Stephen Vogt said. “He’s going to be a leverage right-handed arm. He might throw in a different scenario than that his first time out. We don't know how the game's going to go, but we trust Army to get right back into the role he was in.”
Heuer made his Guardians debut on Sunday, when he allowed one run on three hits and one walk with two strikeouts over two innings.