The Cardinals introduced that they’ve recalled right-hander Riley O’Brien from Triple-A Memphis. Fellow righty Shawn Armstrong has been designated for task because the corresponding transfer. John Denton of MLB.com relayed the information on X previous to the official announcement.
Armstrong, 33, was simply acquired previous to the commerce deadline, with the Playing cards sending former high prospect Dylan Carlson the opposite manner. Since switching jerseys, Armstrong’s outcomes have really been good. He has tossed 12 2/3 innings over 11 outings, permitting 2.84 earned runs per 9 innings. He struck out 24.5% of batters confronted and solely gave out walks at a 4.1% clip.
Regardless of the great total outcomes, Armstrong could also be a sufferer of circumstances. The membership used 4 relievers on Sunday and 4 final night time, with Armstrong being one of many 4 in each video games. Maybe he was going to be unavailable tonight, so the membership has nudged him out of the best way as they get a contemporary arm into the combination of a reasonably taxed reduction group. Armstrong can’t be optioned as a participant with greater than 5 years of service time, so he’s been pushed off the 40-man roster.
Past that, it’s additionally doable that the membership is hoping for just a little little bit of price financial savings right here for the ultimate month of the season. Armstrong isn’t making a ton of cash, as his $2.05MM wage is comparatively gentle in MLB phrases. However since he has been pitching effectively, it’s doable some membership could also be occupied with claiming him off waivers, which might take the contract off the Cardinals’ arms. If he’s claimed previous to September, he can be playoff eligible along with his new membership. Meaning his odds of getting claimed needs to be increased now than they are going to be in a number of days’ time.
Maybe it’s too robust to characterize this transfer as a waving of the white flag, nevertheless it does maybe illustrate the place the season is at for St. Louis. They’re at the moment 65-66 and 6 video games out of a playoff spot. They might make a late cost in September however must bypass a minimum of 4 golf equipment within the standings whereas additionally keeping off the golf equipment which can be simply behind them. The Playoff Odds at FanGraphs give the Playing cards only a 1.9% probability of sneaking in whereas the PECOTA Standings are solely barely extra optimistic at 3%.
They might definitely play effectively down the stretch with out Armstrong however they simply made a notable sacrifice to get this man lower than a month in the past. Carlson was a former first-round choose and spent a few years as a prospect who figured to be a giant a part of the membership’s future. The membership gave up two and a half years of Carlson for a number of months of Armstrong, however is now doubtless dropping Armstrong after simply 11 appearances, seemingly hoping to simply put some extra cash into the pockets of possession.
For with higher playoff odds, it appears doubtless one among them will declare Armstrong. For the 2022-24 seasons, he has pitched 173 innings with a 3.64 ERA, 24.6% strikeout price and 6.6% stroll price. That features 11 holds and three saves. There aren’t some ways to improve a roster now that the commerce deadline has handed, so Armstrong is an attention-grabbing candidate given his good numbers and modest wage. He’s scheduled to hit free company on the finish of this season.
