24 Ricky Romero, SP

Blue Jays starting pitcher Ricky Romero continued to have command problems in his second start Thursday for Triple-A Buffalo. Romero, who walked five in his Buffalo debut, walked six batters in 3 2/3 innings Thursday.

He allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and struck out one. Romero has a 9.82 ERA through two starts. He allowed six runs and 10 hits in his first start Saturday.

Blue Jays starting pitcher Ricky Romero, who was optioned to the minors after two poor starts, didn't fare much better in his season debut for Triple-A Buffalo Saturday. Romero allowed six runs on 10 hits and five walks in 3 2/3 innings, without recording a strikeout.

Pitching coach Pete Walker, however, chalks up the bad outing to a quick turnaround for the left-handed hurler.

"I think any time anybody has [gone] from the big leagues to the minor leagues, it's always a letdown," Walker said, per MLB.com. "Those Triple-A hitters can swing the bat. I mean, there's a lot of good players down there, and I'm sure most major leaguers can attest to that. You think you can just go out there and do what you need to do, but they swing the bat, and they can put you in some tough situations."

Romero continues to work on his altered delivery, which no longer includes bringing both hands above his head during the windup. 

"He's moved his foot in line to home plate about 12 to 14 inches over," Walker said. "It's an adjustment, but it's not like we're changing arm slot and changing major things. It's an undertaking, though, don't get me wrong. I still think it takes a lot of work and time. But I think, you know, he's made a commitment to it, and I think still in the long run, it's better for him. It's just a matter of him getting results."

The Blue Jays optioned starting pitcher Ricky Romero to Triple-A Buffalo Thursday. It comes less than 24 hours after Romero couldn't get out of the first inning of Wednesday's start at Tampa Bay.

Romero is 0-2 with a 12.46 ERA in two starts since replacing Josh Johnson in the rotation. No immediate plans have been announced for Romero's replacement in the rotation.

Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero entered Wednesday's outing at Tampa Bay coming off leaving a start against the Mariners early due to a forearm issue. He had an even shorter evening against the Rays, though it wasn't due to injury.

Romero, making just his second start since being recalled from the minors, only managed to retire one batter in his performance Wednesday. Given a 2-0 lead when Edwin Encarnacion homered in the top of the first, Romero gave up three earned runs on four hits and two walks and was removed after recording just one out. Things could have been worse, but reliever Edgar Gonzalez managed to work out of the bases-loaded jam he inherited.

Romero needed 29 pitches to retire one batter and he was far too hittable as 16 went for strikes. After two outings, Romero is 0-2 and has thrown 4 1/3 innings, giving up six runs for an ERA of 12.46. If Toronto chooses to give him another start, it would come Tuesday against San Francisco.

Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero had X-rays on his left forearm after he left a start for Toronto Friday against the Mariners in the fourth inning, the National Post reports. 

The 28-year-old Romero, who was making his season debut, allowed three earned runs on three hits and three walks with four strikeouts in the loss. He threw 70 pitches. 

Romero's next start -- Wednesday at Tampa Bay -- is in jeopardy, despite the X-rays coming back negative.  

"I don’t know, we’ll see," Romero said. "It’s a little stiff right now."