Rangers sign Joe Barlow

The Texas Rangers have signed pitcher Joe Barlow to a minor league deal, it was announced today.

Barlow was the Rangers’ 11th round pick out of Salt Lake Community College in 2016. He spent part of 2021 and 2022 as the Rangers’ closer, but struggled in 2023 between Round Rock and the majors and was ultimately designated for assignment at the trade deadline in 2023 to make room for the Rangers’ deadline acquisitions.

Barlow was claimed on waivers by the Kansas City Royals, but was released at the end of the season. He signed with the Chicago White Sox for 2024, but didn’t pitch well in the minors and was released.

Barlow’s fastball velocity dropped to 93.3 mph in 2023, though Evan Grant says…