San Diego Padres: What Scott Barlow said about the trade and his role in the bullpen

DENVER — For the first time in the three-game series here in the Mile High City, the sun shined on Coors Field as a game was ready to begin. Maybe it was symbolic, but the energy on the sunny day outside matched what was found inside the Padres clubhouse as new players acquired at the MLB trade deadline began to arrive.

The first of the acquisitions made by A.J. Preller at the MLB trade deadline strolled in in the form of relief pitcher Scott Barlow, picked up in a trade with the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday.

With his locker positioned between Robet Suarez and Josh Hader in the visitor's clubhouse, it was clear that Barlow was ready to fit into a bullpen that could use another veteran arm in the back end.

"I'm already pumping with adrenaline. I'm really excited," Barlow said. "Incredible team. Look around and see the guys who are on this team and it's star-studded. And coming to San Diego earlier in the year (with the Royals) and getting a feel for the it and the atmosphere of the stadium is super awesome."

Barlow pitched in 38 games for the Royals this season, posting a 5.35 ERA over 38.2 innings. However, he and the Padres are looking at numbers like his 3.63 FIP to see the kind of impact he could make on the bullpen.

"The numbers, maybe not where I wanted them to be but, looking at it just a little deeper analytically, I'm super happy with it," Barlow said.

Barlow mentioned "little adjustments" made in recent games that have paid off for him, with scoreless outings in two of his last three appearances.

Padres manager Bob Melvin called Barlow "a great addition to the bullpen" on a day where Nick Martinez was called on to start after Joe Musgrove was scratched with a sore shoulder. Wednesday will be a bullpen day for the Padres and Barlow, who hasn't thrown since July 29, could well make his Padres debut at Coors Field.

"Probably right behind Hader and Suarez. We'll see where he fits in with (Steven) Wilson and Martinez," Barlow said. "He's obviously been a closer at times. Plus stuff, really good slider. He bolsters our bullpen obviously. A great acquisition."

"Any way I can help," the 30-year-old right-hander said about his new role with the Padres. "I'm just super happy to be here and help in any way possible."