The Athletics signed Barlow to a one-year, $2 million contract Friday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

He will have the opportunity to earn an additional $1.3 million in incentives. Barlow spent the 2025 season with the Reds, finishing the regular season with a 4.21 ERA and 75:45 K:BB over 68.1 innings. The 33-year-old hasn't had an ERA below 4.21 or WHIP below 1.36 since 2022, but with 59 career saves, Barlow has easily the most closer experience on the Athletics' roster. That alone should put him in the mix for saves, but even if Barlow wins the job, he'd be a poor bet to retain it.

The Reds declined Barlow's $6.5 million option for 2026 on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Barlow will receive a $1 million buyout instead. The veteran reliever made 75 regular-season appearances out of the Reds' bullpen, posting a 4.21 ERA and 75:45 K:BB over 68.1 frames. Barlow should be able to land a deal this winter to serve as a middle reliever.

Barlow will serve as the Reds' opening pitcher in Tuesday's contest versus the Blue Jays, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nick Lodolo was scheduled to start but was scratched due to an illness, so the Reds will go with an impromptu bullpen game Tuesday. Barlow will likely pitch an inning or two before being followed by a slew of relievers.

Barlow walked one and struck out four over 1.1 scoreless and hitless innings to earn the save in Monday's 4-1 win over the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

The Reds were a bit thin in the bullpen Monday, as all of Emilio Pagan, Tony Santillan and Graham Ashcraft had pitched Saturday and Sunday. Barlow stepped up for the four-out save, throwing 14 of 25 pitches for strikes. While this was his first save of 2025, Barlow had earned 58 saves from 2019-2024. He's added 13 holds and a blown save while pitching to a 3.54 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 61:34 K:BB across 56 innings. He's not the top option for ancillary saves, but Barlow remains part of the Reds' high-leverage mix.

Cincinnati activated Barlow from the paternity list Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Barlow was placed on the paternity list Friday but is back with the team after just one day. Luis Mey, who was brought up from Triple-A to take Barlow's bullpen spot Friday, has been optioned back to the minors in a corresponding move.

The Reds placed Barlow on the paternity list Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Barlow will be temporarily away from the team for personal reasons. While he's away, Luis Mey will fill the vacated spot in the bullpen. Barlow has a 3.53 ERA in 44.2 innings of relief this season.

Barlow, who has pitched to a 4.50 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 7:0 K:BB over eight innings this spring, could be an option to close games after Alexis Diaz (hamstring) was ruled out for the start of the 2025 season. "I don't think it's necessary that we name a closer," manager Terry Francona told Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Francona said he hadn't "given it a ton of thought yet" and didn't seem in a hurry to settle on one arm in the ninth inning, saying, "We'll just see how we get there, and we'll do it the best way we can." Barlow has racked up 58 career saves to date, including a career-high 24 saves in 2022, but Taylor Rogers and Emilio Pagan also have past closing experience. Graham Ashcraft is also moving to the bullpen and has expressed to the club a desire to work toward the closer role. The club still wants Diaz "to be that guy," Francona said, but a strong performance by someone else in the meantime could change the equation.

Barlow agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Reds on Tuesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Barlow has posted a 4.25 ERA and 68:31 K:BB over 55 innings last season before being released by the Guardians in September. The 32-year-old's velocity and results have trended down the past two seasons, though he's still submitted a 27.2 percent strikeout rate over that stretch. In Cincinnati, Barlow should help set up for closer Alexis Diaz.

The Guardians released Barlow on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Barlow cleared waivers after being designated for assignment and is now a free agent. The veteran reliever could catch on with a new team for the final weeks, but he would not be eligible for the postseason roster. Barlow has posted a 4.25 ERA and 68:31 K:BB over 55 innings this season.

The Guardians designated Barlow for assignment Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Barlow has struggled since the start of August with 11 earned runs allowed across 11.2 innings, and it will cost him his place on the roster. The veteran right-hander had a 3.12 ERA in 50 outings this season prior to that stretch, so he could land somewhere for the final weeks of the season, though he won't be playoff eligible with a different organization.