Former Reds relief pitcher Scott Barlow reportedly set to join the Athletics
Updated: 4:25 PM EST Feb 7, 2026
Former Reds relief pitcher Scott Barlow is reportedly set to join the Athletics for the 2026 season.Barlow, 33, played for the Reds for a single season in 2025, where his contributions to Cincinnati’s bullpen helped the team to achieve its first playoff appearance in a full-length season in 12 years. Before coming to Cincinnati, he also played for the Cleveland Guardians, the San Diego Padres, and the Kansas City Royals.However, at the end of last season, Barlow was declined a club option by the Reds, making him a free agent. Fellow relief pitcher Brent Suter and outfielder Austin Hays were also denied club options as well, with Suter instead signing with the Los Angeles Angels this week and Hays signing with the Chicago White Sox.During the 2025 season, Barlow put up a 4.21 ERA and 75 strikeouts across 75 games. However, his career ERA is notably lower, at 3.60. Barlow’s new deal with the Athletics, which was reported by MLB.com, is said to last for one year, although the dollar amount for the contract was not immediately clear.Before joining the league, Barlow grew up in Connecticut and played baseball in college for Fresno State. He was later drafted in 2011 by the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he spent multiple years with the Dodgers’ minor league affiliate teams.At the end of 2017, Barlow signed with the Royals, where he would make his major league debut just month later in the 2018 season.
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Former Reds relief pitcher Scott Barlow is reportedly set to join the Athletics for the 2026 season.
Barlow, 33, played for the Reds for a single season in 2025, where his contributions to Cincinnati’s bullpen helped the team to achieve its first playoff appearance in a full-length season in 12 years. Before coming to Cincinnati, he also played for the Cleveland Guardians, the San Diego Padres, and the Kansas City Royals.
However, at the end of last season, Barlow was declined a club option by the Reds, making him a free agent. Fellow relief pitcher Brent Suter and outfielder Austin Hays were also denied club options as well, with Suter instead signing with the Los Angeles Angels this week and Hays signing with the Chicago White Sox.
During the 2025 season, Barlow put up a 4.21 ERA and 75 strikeouts across 75 games. However, his career ERA is notably lower, at 3.60.
Barlow’s new deal with the Athletics, which was reported by MLB.com, is said to last for one year, although the dollar amount for the contract was not immediately clear.
Before joining the league, Barlow grew up in Connecticut and played baseball in college for Fresno State. He was later drafted in 2011 by the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he spent multiple years with the Dodgers’ minor league affiliate teams.
At the end of 2017, Barlow signed with the Royals, where he would make his major league debut just month later in the 2018 season.