March 23, 2025
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.
AnalysisFrancona 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.