Joe

Barlow

The 28-year-old hurler had been pitching at Triple-A Charlotte where he had posted a 9.20 ERA, 2.05 WHIP and an 18/9 K/BB ratio over 14 2/3 innings of work. He’ll attempt to latch on elsewhere on a minor league pact.

Lee will get some extra time back in the minors with veterans Martín Maldonado and Max Stassi handling the catching duties for Chicago to open the season. Barlow and Knebel were dark horses to make the club’s season-opening bullpen as non-roster invitees. They’ll likely wind up opting out of their minor league contracts in the coming days.

The 28-year-old right-hander appeared in just 13 games for the Rangers in 2023 — posting a 4.66 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and a 6/2 K/BB ratio over 9 2/3 innings of work. He has experience in the ninth inning — with 24 career saves to his name — so he could emerge as a high-leverage option for the White Sox as long as he’s able to crack the Opening Day bullpen.

Barlow cleared waivers after being designated for assignment on Friday. The 27-year-old posted a ghastly 8.24 ERA and 2.53 WHIP since joining the Royals organization in early August.

The right-hander was claimed off of waivers from the Rangers at the beginning of August. In seven appearances at Triple-A Omaha he posted a cringe-inducing 9.24 ERA, 2.53 WHIP and a 10/6 K/BB ratio over 12 2/3 innings of work. There’s a decent chance that he passes through waivers unclaimed and continues to function as bullpen depth for the Royals.

Barlow was designated for assignment by the Rangers after their recent trade additions. The 27-year-old notched 24 saves between 2021-2022, but he’s made just 13 appearances in the majors this year. He gives Kansas City some upper-level bullpen depth for now.

With the additions of Max Scherzer, Jordan Montgomery and Chris Stratton, the Rangers needed to free up a spot on their 40-man roster on Sunday afternoon and Barlow drew the short straw. The 27-year-old former closer has posted a 4.66 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and a 6/2 K/BB ratio over 9 2/3 innings in his limited big league action this season. Given the overall lack of quality bullpen depth around the league, you’d think he’d pique someone’s interest on waivers.

With José Leclerc returning from the injured list on Thursday, someone needed to get the boot from the Rangers’ bullpen and it looks like Barlow drew the short straw this time around. The 27-year-old former closer holds a 4.66 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and a 6/2 K/BB ratio in 9 2/3 innings with the Rangers this season.

Barlow will be available out of Texas’ bullpen for Wednesday’s game against the Angels following a two-week absence due to kidney stones.

Barlow was sent to the injured list last week due to a kidney stone, but appears to be close to returning to Texas’ bullpen after starting a minor league rehab assignment earlier this week.