The Kansas City Royals have released veteran right-hander Scott Barlow from Triple-A Omaha, ending his brief second stint with the organization where he launched his major-league career.
Barlow, 33, was let go Thursday according to the MiLB transactions log. He had signed a minor-league contract with the Royals on July 1 after the Athletics released him in late June. The move assigned him to the Omaha Storm Chasers, Kansas City’s top affiliate. In 11 appearances there, he posted a 5.65 ERA.
The release comes roughly seven weeks after Barlow returned to the franchise that gave him his first big-league opportunity. He made his MLB debut with the Royals on April 30, 2018, against the Boston Red Sox after signing as a minor-league free agent the previous December.
He had spent his first six professional seasons in the Los Angeles Dodgers system after being selected in the sixth round of the 2011 draft.
Barlow developed into a reliable and at times dominant reliever in Kansas City. He spent parts of six seasons with the Royals through 2023 and served as closer during his peak years.
In 2021 and 2022 he combined for 40 saves and a 2.30 ERA over 140 2/3 innings, striking out more than 28 percent of hitters while keeping walks in check. He recorded 53 saves in his final three seasons with the club before being traded to the San Diego Padres in 2023.
After leaving Kansas City he pitched for the Padres, Cleveland Guardians, Cincinnati Reds and Athletics. His 2026 season with Oakland was his most difficult. In 36 appearances he posted a career-worst 6.48 ERA with 29 strikeouts and 19 walks in 33 1/3 innings.
Extreme home-road splits and struggles in the Athletics’ hitter-friendly parks contributed to the poor numbers. The A’s designated him for assignment in mid-June and released him after he cleared waivers.
In nine major-league seasons Barlow is 31-24 with a 3.79 ERA, 565 strikeouts and 61 saves in 476 games (one start). He remains a serviceable veteran arm with a history of missing bats, though command issues have become more pronounced in recent years.
The Royals, whose bullpen has ranked among the league’s weaker units this season, brought Barlow back hoping he could provide experienced depth and potentially earn a late-season call-up.
That opportunity never materialized. He now becomes a free agent again and could attract interest from clubs seeking late-inning or middle-relief help down the stretch.
Barlow’s career has been defined by persistence after a long minor-league apprenticeship. Whether he lands another contract this year or next will depend on whether a team believes the veteran can recapture the form that once made him one of Kansas City’s most trusted relievers.
