The Rangers assigned Barlow to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.
Barlow signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers in February, but he wasn't able to crack the Opening Day roster after finishing spring training by allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five across 5.2 innings. He last saw major-league action in 2023 with the Rangers, and he could be called up by Texas should there be a need for right-handed depth out of the bullpen.
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Rangers' Joe Barlow: Back with Texas
Rotowire
Barlow agreed to a minor-league contract with the Rangers on Sunday that includes an invite to big-league camp.
The right-hander recorded 24 saves with a 2.81 ERA across the 2021 and 2022 campaigns for the Rangers, but he had a 4.66 ERA in 13 outings during 2023 before being designated for assignment, and he hasn't pitched in the majors since. Barlow could earn a spot in Texas' bullpen with a strong showing during spring training but likely won't fill more than a middle-relief role.
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Joe Barlow: Let go by ChiSox
Rotowire
The White Sox released Barlow on Friday.
Barlow returned from a shoulder injury June 5, and he has since allowed 13 earned runs in just 10.2 innings at Triple-A Charlotte. He still owns a 3.05 ERA through 73.2 career major-league innings, so he should be able to find work with another franchise even if it's on a minor-league contract.
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White Sox's Joe Barlow: Activated from Triple-A IL
Rotowire
Barlow (shoulder) was activated from the 60-day injured list at Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday, James Fegan of SoxMachine.com reports.
Barlow suffered a right shoulder injury back in February after signing a minor-league contract with the White Sox. He made two rehab appearances with Single-A Winston-Salem and is now ready to join Charlotte's roster. If healthy, the 28-year-old should push to be added to the White Sox's roster.
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Royals' Joe Barlow: Clears waivers
Rotowire
The Royals outrighted Barlow to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday after he cleared waivers.
After being claimed off waivers from the Rangers on Aug. 4, Barlow pitched exclusively with the Royals' Triple-A affiliate in Omaha. He proceeded to give up 16 runs (13 earned) on 26 hits and six walks over 12.2 innings with Omaha before the Royals determined he was no longer worthy of a 40-man roster spot. After going unclaimed off waivers, Barlow will stick around in the Royals organization and will look to right the ship at Omaha.
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Rangers' Joe Barlow: DFA'd by Texas
Rotowire
Barlow was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Sunday.
The right-hander was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock in early July and has now lost his place on the Rangers' 40-man roster. Barlow tallied 13 saves for Texas last season but had a 4.66 ERA this year before being demoted, and he wasn't particularly impressive at Triple-A with a 4.21 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 20 outings.
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Rangers' Joe Barlow: Loses roster spot
Rotowire
Barlow was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Barlow has been used some at closer by the Rangers the previous two seasons, but he hasn't found success this year with a 4.66 ERA in 13 relief appearances. He'll head to Round Rock and try to earn another shot.
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Rangers' Joe Barlow: Reinstated off injured list
Rotowire
Texas reinstated Barlow (illness) off the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Barlow missed just over the minimum 15 days on the injured list while dealing with kidney stones. The right-hander should return to a mid-to-late innings role in the Texas bullpen now that he's healthy. Owen White was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock in a corresponding move.
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Rangers' Joe Barlow: Makes season debut
Rotowire
Barlow pitched a scoreless third of an inning in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to Atlanta.
Barlow was called up this week and made his season debut Wednesday. He was Texas' closer for stretches in 2021 and 2022, notching 24 saves, but was held back this spring in Arizona due to a velocity drop before joining Triple-A Round Rock. He went 2-0 with a 2.63 ERA over 11 relief appearances for the Express, and manager Bruce Bochy said he's comfortable using Barlow in high-leverage situations. That indicates Barlow could be thrown into the setup mix, which has not performed well of late, including Wednesday when Josh Sborz and Brock Burke combined to blow a 5-3 lead in the eighth and ninth innings.
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Rangers' Joe Barlow: Recalled from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Rangers recalled Barlow from Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday.
Barlow has been solid in 11 minor-league appearances this year, posting a 2.63 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 15 strikeouts through 13.2 innings. His strong 2023 campaign combined with his historically solid MLB resume could warrant him a few high-leverage outings with the Rangers. Cody Bradford was optioned to Round Rock in a corresponding move.
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Rangers' Joe Barlow: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
Barlow was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
Barlow has recorded double-digit saves in both of his MLB campaigns to date and owns a career 2.81 ERA, so the decision comes as something of a surprise. His ERA estimators, including a 4.73 xFIP and a 4.21 SIERA, tell a much different story about his performance, but he's cruised to a 2.16 ERA this spring while striking out 13 batters in 8.1 innings. Per Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News, Barlow's decreased velocity this spring is a main reason for the demotion, with the Rangers hoping some mechanical tweaks in the minors will sort things out.
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Rangers' Joe Barlow: Undergoes wrist surgery
Rotowire
Barlow underwent surgery Friday to separate a pair of fused tendons in his right wrist and is expected to be ready for the start of spring training in February, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Barlow dealt with blister issues throughout 2022, and the wrist procedure is expected to help curtain those problems. The right-hander served as Texas' closer during the first half of the season and converted 13 of 17 save opportunities, but he landed on the injured list in July shortly after being demoted from the role. He finished the season with a 3.86 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 28:13 K:BB across 35 innings.
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Rangers' Joe Barlow: Positive results in rehab
Rotowire
Barlow (finger) struck out two in a scoreless inning Saturday during his first rehab appearance at Triple-A Round Rock.
The rehab appearance was a promising one, as he retired the side on 14 pitches. Barlow is expected to make another appearance for Round Rock on Tuesday or Wednesday.
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Rangers' Joe Barlow: Begins rehab assignment
Rotowire
Barlow (finger) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.
Barlow has missed most of the last two months due to a blister on his finger, but he resumed mound work in early September and will return to game action in the minors Saturday. It's not yet clear how many rehab appearances he'll require before rejoining the big-league club.
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Rangers' Joe Barlow: Throwing off mound Wednesday
Rotowire
Barlow (blister) will throw off a mound Wednesday, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.
Barlow could end up missing two months due to blister trouble, with one appearance sandwiched in between absences. Once he is able to return, he should work in a setup capacity.
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Rangers' Joe Barlow: Makes return from IL
Rotowire
The Rangers reinstated Barlow (finger) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Barlow is back on the active roster for the first time since July 13 after he required more time than expected to recover from a blister on his right index finger. During his most recent rehab appearance Sunday at Triple-A Round Rock, Barlow answered any questions about whether the blister was still affecting his control and command, as he struck out two batters while allowing one baserunner over a two-inning outing. He'll likely slot into a setup role as he rejoins the Rangers, with Jonathan Hernandez having at least temporarily seized hold of primary closing duties for the club.
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Rangers' Joe Barlow: Nearing return
Rotowire
Barlow (finger) will begin a rehab assignment over the weekend, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Barlow was placed on the injured list July 13 due to a blister. He's set to miss slightly more than the minimum 15 days but should return in early August, barring a setback. Barlow's role will be worth monitoring, as he was removed as closer shortly before suffering the injury. However, Brett Martin has struggled of late, which could open up save chances in Texas.
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Rangers' Joe Barlow: Converts 12th save
Rotowire
Barlow walked one and struck out one in one inning to earn the save in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Tigers.
Barlow has had a messy June, allowing seven runs (five earned) in six innings while converting just three of five save chances. This was one of his less dramatic efforts lately, but he's kept runners off base in only one of his last six outings. The right-hander is 12-for-14 in save conversions overall while adding a 3.09 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB across 23.1 innings.
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Rangers' Joe Barlow: Blows save
Rotowire
Barlow (2-1) picked up the win despite blowing a save after allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits and a hit batsman while striking out a batter in the 11th inning of an 8-6 win Sunday against the White Sox.
Barlow entered the 11th with a three-run lead and gave up three runs before retiring the final two batters. The Rangers scored twice in the top of the 12th to make Barlow the pitcher of record. It has been a rough month of June for the righty as he is 2-for-4 in save chances and has allowed seven runs (five earned) in five innings of work. His ERA has risen from 1.56 to 3.22 over those five innings.
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Rangers' Joe Barlow: Earns ninth save
Rotowire
Barlow picked up the save after retiring the side in order in a 3-0 win Tuesday over Tampa Bay.
Barlow needed only nine pitches to close out the game. He is now 9-for-9 in save opportunities on the season with a minuscule 1.56 ERA. The righty capped off an excellent month of May, having allowed one earned run in 12 innings.
