Rangers reunite with former reliever on minor league deal

The Texas Rangers decided they weren't quite done fiddling with their roster, even as spring begins, adding another former reliever to their list of spring training invites.

The team announced on Sunday they are bringing back right-hander Joe Barlow on a minor league deal and invitation to major league camp.

Barlow made his MLB debut with the Rangers back in 2021 and hasn't pitched in a big league game since July 1, 2023. An 11th round pick by Texas in 2016, Barlow has only ever thrown MLB innings for the Rangers, recording a 3.05 ERA, 61 strikeouts, 24 saves and a 1.01 WHIP in 79 career games,.

He started his career off strong converting 11 of his first 12 saves, finishing 2021 with a 1.55 ERA in 31 games. That season Barlow also set a franchise record on August 2 becoming the first pitcher to strike out eight straight batters faced. Barlow was named the team's pitcher of the month in September/October that year.

In 2022, the wheels started falling off the tracks after losing his job as the team's closer due to inconsistency. He was released by the Rangers in July 2023 after starting the year with a 4.66 ERA in only 9 2/3 innings of work.

He was claimed off waivers, spending time in the Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox's minor league system before eventually being released one last tiem in July 2024.

For the Rangers this signing is the definition of leaving no stone unturned. Coming into spring training they need to rebulild their bullpen and they have the pieces to do so. Those pieces don't necessarily include Barlow but they could if he shows he can still pitch in the major leagues.

The best case scenario is Barlow wows the team with a good spring to the point where they have to play him. However, the most likely case is that Barlow doesn't see an inning of regular season action and he's ultimately faced with the inevitable of not getting back into pro ball.

But if Barlow is somehow in between those two scenarios he'll either be stuffed away in the minor leagues or granted his release before the season gets started to sign with another interested ball club.

Either way it's a signing with little risk and potentially good reward for the Rangers as they search to piece their bullpen back together.

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