Royals Release Scott Barlow After Brief Stint

The Kansas City Royals have released Scott Barlow, a former closer, after a brief seven-week return to the organization. Barlow, who signed a minor league contract in early July following his release from the Oakland Athletics, was let go as per MiLB.com transaction logs.

During his time with the Royals' Triple-A affiliate, the Omaha Storm Chasers, Barlow pitched 14 1/3 innings, allowing nine earned runs and walking 15 of the 67 batters he faced. His performance included five home runs, contributing to a 5.65 ERA. This followed a challenging season with the Athletics, where he struggled significantly at home but performed better on the road.

Barlow's velocity has notably declined, averaging around 89 mph on his sinker and four-seamer, down from previous seasons. Despite his past success with the Royals, where he recorded a 2.30 ERA over 148 2/3 innings, he has not been able to maintain a roster spot this season. Other teams may consider signing him to a minor league deal as the postseason approaches, although concerns about his command and velocity may hinder his prospects.