Royals Reunite With Former Closer To Steady Struggling Bullpen
The Royals announced that they have signed veteran right-hander Scott Barlow to a minor league deal, reuniting with the reliever who made his major league debut in their organization back in 2018.
Barlow was released by the Athletics earlier in the week.
Why Kansas City Made the Move
The Royals bullpen has been the worst in baseball by ERA, sitting at a 5.40 mark that is marginally worse than the division-rival Twins.
High-priced closer Carlos Estevez has pitched just one-third of an inning and has been on the injured list since March, while setup man Lucas Erceg has struggled to a 5.23 ERA with six blown saves despite collecting 12 saves in Estevez's absence.
The following roster move has been made:
— Omaha Storm Chasers (@OMAStormChasers) July 2, 2026
- RHP Scott Barlow has signed a Minor League contract with the Royals and was assigned to Omaha. @BudgetNebraska | #OnlyinOmaha pic.twitter.com/lQRCwQN2YV
At 35-52, the Royals own the American League's worst record and sit just one game ahead of the MLB-worst Rockies.
There is no risk in taking a free look at a veteran who once starred as their closer.
The Athletics remain on the hook for the remainder of Barlow's $2 million base salary, meaning Kansas City would owe only the prorated league minimum for any time he spends on the big league roster, a sum subtracted from what the A's already owe.
The Barlow Track Record
Barlow was briefly one of the game's top bullpen arms during his Kansas City peak, posting a 2.30 ERA with 40 saves and 20 holds across 140.2 innings from 2021 to 2022 while striking out 28.2 percent of his opponents.
The 33-year-old served as the Royals' closer in his final three seasons with the club before being traded to the Padres at the 2023 deadline, and has since pitched for the Guardians, Reds, and Athletics.
His 2026 numbers with the A's were rough, carrying a 6.48 ERA across 33.1 innings before his release, but his low-4.00 ERA marks in 2024 and 2025 offer some recent upside.
Barlow is the second former Royals reliever to return to the organization this year, joining Jose Cuas.
He gives Kansas City veteran depth in Triple-A Omaha and, if he shows any success over the next month, could even become a small trade chip at the deadline for a team that may sell from its relief corps.
