JOE BARLOW NEWS

Throws inning in return Barlow allowed one hit and one walk while striking out one in one inning in Wednesday's 7-2 loss to Oakland.

Impact Barlow, the Rangers' one-time closer, returned from a month-long absence due to a blister. He was given a soft re-entry, pitching the sixth inning with Texas down, 3-1. Since his injury, the Rangers have installed Jonathan Hernandez as the closer.

AUGUST 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Makes return from IL The Rangers reinstated Barlow (finger) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Could be activated Tuesday Texas manager Chris Woodward said Barlow (finger) could be activated in advance of Tuesday's series opener with the Astros, MLB.com reports.

Impact Barlow made a third rehab appearance Saturday, walking one over a scoreless 1.2 innings for Triple-A Round Rock. Two of his three rehab outings lasted 1.2 innings, which could portend his usage when he returns to the majors. Barlow had been the Rangers' closer but was removed from the role early in July. Woodward has been using Jonathan Hernandez in that role for now.

AUGUST 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rehab moves to Triple-A Barlow (finger) shifted his rehab assignment from Double-A Frisco to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday.

Impact Barlow will make a rehab appearance for Round Rock later Wednesday in what could be his final tune-up outing before returning from the 15-day injured list. When he's likely activated this weekend, Barlow will be rejoining a Rangers bullpen that is a bit thinner after Matt Bush was dealt to the Brewers, but Barlow may still have to settle for a setup or middle-relief role initially. That being said, Brett Martin has been shaky in his recent save chances, so if Barlow pitches effectively upon being activated, he may not have to wait long to get another look as the team's closer.

AUGUST 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nearing return Barlow (finger) will begin a rehab assignment over the weekend, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Barlow was placed on the injured list July 13 due to a blister. He's set to miss slightly more than the minimum time 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.

JULY 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Hits IL with blister The Rangers placed Barlow on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to a right index finger blister.

Impact Rangers manager Chris Woodward recently dropped Barlow from the closer's role in favor of taking a committee approach to save situations, and the injury will only further hamper the 26-year-old's chances of recapturing the gig at any point in 2022. Even the committee could soon come to an end, as Brett Martin is quickly building security as the Rangers' preferred ninth-inning man after successfully converting all three save chances he's received since Barlow's demotion from the role.

JULY 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Removed from closer role Barlow will pitch in a lower-leverage role for now, with the Rangers switching to a committee approach in the ninth inning, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

Impact Barlow has 13 of the Rangers' 17 saves this season, but he hasn't been particularly convincing despite his solid 3.18 ERA. He hasn't missed nearly enough bats, with his 19.3 percent strikeout rate ranking second-last among the 24 pitchers who've recorded double-digit saves this season, beating only Mark Melancon. Dennis Santana has been used in the highest-leverage situations among Rangers relievers other than Barlow, so he could be the top choice for saves going forward, though the team seems to be planning on spreading opportunities around.

JULY 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Blows fourth save Barlow was charged with a blown save after giving up one run on one hit during the ninth inning of Tuesday's extra-inning loss to the Orioles. He had one strikeout and did not walk...

Impact The right-hander was called upon to protect a one-run lead, but he surrendered a two-out solo homer to Rougned Odor, which tied the game 9-9. It's the second straight blown save for Barlow, and he's allowed five earned runs over his past eight innings after posting a 2.21 ERA across his first 20.1 frames of the year.

JULY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Earns third win Barlow (3-1) pitched a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout to put himself in line for the win in a 3-2 walkoff victory over the Nationals.

Impact Barlow was called in to pitch the ninth with the game tied 2-2. He did his job and let the offense take care of the rest, earning his third win of the season to go along with 13 saves. The Rangers closer has a healthy 2.84 ERA and 0.95 WHIP on the season and doesn't appear to have any competition for the ninth inning role. However, Barlow's 5.10 xERA and 4.50 xFIP suggest that his numbers could be on the brink of correcting higher.

JUNE 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Notches 13th save Barlow worked a perfect ninth inning Wednesday without a walk or strikeout to record his 13th save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Phillies.

Impact The right-hander continues to be effective, if not dominant, as the Rangers' closer. Barlow is 13-for-15 in converting save chances, and while his 2.96 ERA and 0.99 WHIP through 24.1 innings are impressive, his mediocre 20.4 percent strikeout rate and stingy .200 BABIP highlight how much his success relies on weak contact rather than overpowering raw stuff.

JUNE 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Converts 12th save Barlow walked one and struck out one in one inning to earn the save in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Tigers.

Impact 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.

JUNE 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Greg Jewett's Bullpen Report: Joe Barlow and Dany Jiménez struggling and more Joe Barlow and Dany Jiménez are struggling lately, Craig Kimbrel continues to befuddle...and more in this week's Bullpen Report

JUNE 14, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Blows save 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...

Impact 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.

JUNE 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rangers Impressed by Joe Barlow's Ninth-Inning Approach Texas’s closer has already matched his saves total from 2021 and has converted his last two save chances after a blown save on June 3

JUNE 12, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Nails down 11th save Barlow recorded his 11th save of the season during the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Guardians, walking one in a scoreless ninth inning.

Impact The right-hander's lack of dominance remains a concern, but as long as he's getting the job done for the Rangers. his closer job seems secure. Over the last month, Barlow has converted eight of nine save chances with a 2.25 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and poor 6:6 K:BB through 12 innings.

JUNE 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Bounces back Friday Barlow struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Mariners.

Impact Barlow blew a save and took the loss Friday against the M's, but he bounced back with a clean inning Saturday for his 10th save in 11 chances. He's kept runs off the board in 14 of his 19 appearances this year. The 26-year-old now has a 2.33 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 18:6 K:BB across 19.1 innings.

JUNE 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Blown save, loss versus Mariners Barlow (1-1) took the loss Friday versus the Mariners. He allowed two runs on a hit and a walk in one inning while taking a blown save.

Impact Barlow's perfect run of save conversions ended Friday -- he's now 9-for-10 this season. He surrendered a two-run home run to Eugenio Suarez in the ninth inning. Considering Barlow allowed just two runs (one earned) in 11 innings in May, this can be chalked up to simple misfortune. He's at a 2.45 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB through 18.1 innings overall as the Rangers' primary closer.

JUNE 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Earns ninth save Barlow picked up the save after retiring the side in order in a 3-0 win Tuesday over Tampa Bay.

Impact 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.

JUNE 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Notches eighth save Barlow walked one during a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Thursday's 4-1 victory against the Athletics.

Impact Barlow entered after the Rangers scored four in the top of the ninth to take the lead and surrendered a leadoff walk but induced a double play and pop-out to end the game. He appears healthy after a nine-game hiatus due to a blister and should see regular closer duties for the foreseeable future with a dominant 1.76 ERA and 0.91 WHIP.

MAY 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Unavailable with blister Barlow was unavailable for Wednesday's save opportunity against the Angels due to a "hot spot" on his right index finger, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact The right-hander has apparently battled the blister issue all season, but it flared up more than usual Wednesday and prevented him from being available. Barlow could remain unavailable for another day or two before reclaiming the closer's role. Dennis Santana secured the save against the Halos, but Matt Bush (who blew the save in Wednesday's win) and Brock Burke could also be in the mix if another save opportunity arises in the next couple days.

MAY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Secures seventh save Barlow issued one walk and struck out one batter in a scoreless ninth inning while earning a save over the Angels on Monday.

Impact Barlow allowed a leadoff walk to Luis Rengifo but had no issue finishing off the 7-4 win. He's now turned in 10 straight scoreless appearances, going 1-0 with seven saves during that span. The 26-year-old is sporting a 1.35 ERA and a 15:4 K:BB on the year.

MAY 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Records sixth save Barlow earned the save after allowing one hit and one walk across a scoreless ninth inning during Thursday's 3-1 win over the Royals. He struck out one.

Impact Barlow came on in the top of the ninth with a two-run lead, but gave up a leadoff single to Ryan O'Hearn. After retiring the next two batters, the closer walked MJ Melendez, bringing the winning run to the plate. However, Whit Merrifield bounced one to second to end the game, securing Barlow's sixth save of the season. The second-year reliever has converted all six of his save attempts this year and currently holds a 14:3 K:BB.

MAY 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Secures fifth save Barlow earned the save, tossing a perfect ninth inning in a 6-4 win Tuesday over Kansas City.

Impact Barlow faced the bottom three hitters in the Kansas City lineup and retired them in order. He has converted all five of his save opportunities and has not allowed a hit since April 16, pitching 7.1 innings since then. With a 1.74 ERA and 0.68 WHIP, the 26-year-old is off to a dominant start in his sophomore campaign.

MAY 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up fourth save Barlow earned the save, allowing a walk and striking out a batter in the ninth inning of a 4-2 win over the Yankees.

Impact After walking the first batter, Barlow retired the final three batters in order. It was not the most efficient outing as he needed 24 pitches to complete the inning, throwing only 13 strikes. The 26-year-old has not allowed a hit in his last six outings, covering 6.1 innings, and is 4-for-4 in save opportunities on the season.

MAY 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Notches third save Barlow earned the save during Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Phillies by allowing one unearned run during the 10th inning. He struck out two and didn't record a walk.

Impact The two teams were held scoreless through nine innings, but the Rangers claimed a two-run lead in the top of the 10th thanks a two-run single by Brad Miller. Barlow didn't allow a ball out of the infield during the bottom half of the inning, but Jean Segura -- who started the inning on second -- came around to score on a Odubel Herrera groundout after advancing to third when Didi Gregorius struck out to start the inning. Barlow has recorded saves in three straight appearances and currently sports a 2.16 ERA with a 12:1 K:BB.

MAY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE