Phillies' Jordan Romano: Set for low-leverage work
Rotowire
Struggling with his velocity and results, Romano is expected to be used in low-leverage situations in the immediate future, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Romano has been touched up for five runs with a 2:3 K:BB over his last two appearances covering a total of one inning. He averaged just 93.5 mph with his four-seamer in Sunday's outing against the Dodgers, which is down nearly three full mph from last season. Phillies manager Rob Thomson indicated that Romano has been checked out by the team's trainers and "there's no red flags" physically, but the skipper admitted that "it concerns me a little bit that the velocity's down." Jose Alvarado picked up his second save for the Phillies in Sunday's victory over the Dodgers and is the team's best bet for saves right now.
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Phillies' Jordan Romano: Blows save in eighth inning
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Romano blew the save after allowing two runs on one hit and one walk in one inning during Thursday's game against the Nationals. He struck out one.
Summoned in the eighth inning to protect a 3-1 lead, Romano struggled with his command as he threw just 15 of 29 pitches for strikes and also plunked a batter. Philly could give Romano some leeway when it comes to future save opportunities, although they aren't short on high-leverage arms, and the right-hander's usage in the eighth frame suggests he may not solely see ninth-inning work anyway. Jose Alvarado, who ended up getting the win Thursday, and Matt Strahm pitched clean ninth and 10th innings, respectively, to preserve the win for Philadelphia.
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Jordan Romano: Cut loose by Toronto
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Romano (elbow) was non-tendered by the Blue Jays on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
The right-hander was one of the best closers in baseball from 2021 to 2023 with a 2.37 ERA and 95 saves, but Toronto elected not to tender him a contract for 2025. Romano allowed 10 earned runs in 15 appearances in 2024 and sat out most of the season due to elbow issues, which necessitated arthroscopic surgery in July. The 31-year-old was ramping up his throwing program at the end of the regular season and could be ready for the start of spring training.
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Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Transferred to 60-day IL
Rotowire
The Blue Jays transferred Romano (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Saturday.
Romano landed on the 15-day injured list June 1 due to right elbow inflammation. He was shut down from throwing twice after landing on the IL, and he eventually underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair an impingement in his throwing elbow July 3. Romano still has a ways to go before throwing again, and it's unclear whether he will return to major-league action by the end of the season. With Yimi Garcia traded to Seattle on Friday, Chad Green appears set to continue serving as Toronto's primary closer.
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Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Shut down from throwing again
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Romano was shut down from throwing after experiencing discomfort in his right elbow Friday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
It's the second time Romano has been shut down from throwing since he landed on the injured list June 1. Manager John Schneider said Saturday that Romano will get an evaluation on his right elbow July 2, which should give clarity on the next steps for the 31-year-old closer, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports. Prior to his injury, Romano registered eight saves with a 6.59 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over 13.2 innings this season.
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Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Nearing mound work
Rotowire
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Romano (elbow) threw from 90-to-120 feet Monday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.
According to Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star, if Romano responds well to Monday's workout, he'll be cleared to throw off a mound Wednesday for the first time since landing on the 15-day injured list June 1 with right elbow inflammation. Since he's a closer who typically doesn't pitch more than an inning in his appearances, Romano won't require an extensive ramp-up period, but the Blue Jays will still likely want to send him out on a brief minor-league rehab assignment prior to activating him from the IL. Yimi Garcia has served as the Blue Jays' primary closer while Romano has been on the shelf, but Garcia is considered day-to-day with an elbow issue of his own. Chad Green appears to be next in line for saves out of the Toronto bullpen.
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Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Playing catch Friday
Rotowire
Romano (elbow) threw from 90 feet Friday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.
Romano resumed his throwing program Monday and has already been stretched out to 90 feet. The 31-year-old has been brought along slowly since being placed on the 15-day IL with elbow inflammation and it's unclear if he'll require a rehab assignment at this point. Yimi Garcia has earned three saves since Romano went down and should continue to operate as Toronto's closer in Romano's absence.
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Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Placed on 15-day IL
Rotowire
Romano was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to May 30, with right elbow inflammation, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Romano was unavailable for Friday's 5-3 victory over the Pirates due to right elbow soreness and he'll now be forced to miss a couple weeks of action while nursing the injury. The 31-year-old produced a 9.00 ERA and 1.88 WHIP over eight innings, while suffering a blown save and being tagged with a pair of losses in nine appearances with Toronto in May, so the time off could serve as a reset button for him. In the meantime, left-hander Brendon Little was called up from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday to replace him on the major-league roster. In Romano's absence, Yimi Garcia and Chad Green represent a pair of candidates to absorb the ninth-inning role.
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Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Allows walk-off home run
Rotowire
Romano (1-2) suffered the loss to the Tigers on Sunday, yielding three earned runs on two hits and one walk in two-thirds of an inning.
Romano was called upon to preserve an 11-11 tie in the bottom of the ninth inning. He allowed a leadoff single and an intentional walk before surrendering a walk-off three-run home run to Matt Vierling. The 31-year-old's ERA is now up to 6.39, although he is 7-for-8 in save chances through 15.1 innings this season, and he's allowed at least one run in six of 14 outings this season.
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Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Stuck with blown save
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Romano (1-1) took a loss and a blown save in Wednesday's 3-2 defeat to the Orioles, allowing two runs on two hits without recording an out in the ninth inning.
Called upon to protect a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the ninth, Romano gave up an infield single to Jordan Westburg leading off the frame before Adley Rutschman launched a two-run, walk-off homer. It's the first blown save of the year for Romano -- he'd been 6-for-6 in save chances prior to Wednesday. The 31-year-old right-hander sports a 5.06 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB through his first 10.2 innings this season.
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Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Earns win in extra frame
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Romano (1-0) earned the win Monday, walking one and striking out one over two scoreless innings of relief against the Orioles.
Romano entered a tie game in the ninth, needing just nine pitches to complete the frame, then unofficially saved his own victory after the Blue Jays plated a run in the top of the 10th. It was the 10th appearance of the season for the Toronto closer, who had converted on all six of his save opportunities prior to earning his first victory Monday.
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Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Nails down sixth save
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Romano gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his sixth save of the season in a 10-8 win over the Twins.
The right-hander stayed perfect in save situations on the season, but Saturday's performance was only the fifth time in nine appearances that Romano has avoided getting tagged with a run. His 4.15 ERA and 1.38 WHIP are well off from his usual standards, but his 8:2 K:BB through 8.2 innings isn't far from the mark, and his stuff appears to be fine -- he topped out at 99 mph with his fastball.
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Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Perfect for fourth save
Rotowire
Romano earned the save Sunday against the Dodgers, striking out two over a perfect ninth inning.
Romano converted on his fourth straight save attempt to start the campaign, pitching his second perfect inning in six appearances. After missing the first few weeks of the season with an elbow injury, Romano has shown no rust, owning a 3.18 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP through 5.2 frames.
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Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Secures second save
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Romano earned the save in Saturday's 5-2 win against the Padres after he retired all three batters he faced in the ninth inning. He struck out one.
Romano was provided a three-run cushion Saturday and needed just 11 pitches to retire San Diego's top three hitters. The veteran right-hander made his season debut less than a week ago after going down with elbow inflammation late in spring training, and he's quickly picked up a pair of saves. Romano retains a firm grip on the closer role for Toronto and already appears to be in strong form.
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Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Rehab assignment starting Thursday
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Romano (elbow) is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.
Mitchell writes that Romano "should be active soon after that if all goes well." Romano has had a late start to the season because of right elbow inflammation, but it sounds like he should be back closing games for the Blue Jays within the next week or so.
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Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Throws live batting practice
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Romano (elbow) threw a live batting practice session Sunday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
The Blue Jays are still determining what the next steps for Romano will be, but a rehab assignment would seem imminent. Romano has been ramping things back up after being diagnosed with elbow inflammation late in spring training. There's no timetable for his return, but one should become clearer in the coming days.
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Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Completes side session
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Romano (elbow) threw a successful side session Tuesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
It represents Romano's first mound work since he was diagnosed with elbow inflammation late in spring training, so it's a significant step in his throwing program. The right-hander will likely need a few more sessions before advancing to facing live hitters.
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Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Set for bullpen session
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Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday that Romano (elbow) is set to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.
Romano started the season on the 15-day IL due to right elbow inflammation he sustained in spring training. His bullpen session Tuesday will be the first time he's thrown off the mound since his injury, and the team is optimistic that the right-hander will need only a minimum stay on the injured list.
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Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Placed on 15-day IL
Rotowire
The Blue Jays placed Romano (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.
General manager Ross Atkins indicated recently that he's hopeful Romano will require only a minimum stay on the IL, which would mean an activation April 9. Romano hasn't yet resumed throwing off a mound, however, so he still has some hurdles to clear before Atkins' hopes are realized. Chad Green, Yimi Garcia and Tim Mayza are candidates for saves while Romano is out, with Erik Swanson (forearm) also potentially entering the mix if he beats Romano back from the IL.
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Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Likely facing minimum IL stint
Rotowire
Romano (elbow) isn't expected to need much time to build back up once he's cleared to start throwing off a mound again, and Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins believes the right-hander will only need a minimum stay on the injured list, Gregor Chisholm of the Toronto Star reports.
The Toronto closer was given an anti-inflammatory injection early last week after an MRI on his elbow showed no structural issues. A backdated placement on the IL for Romano and a minimum 15-day stay could have him back in the Jays bullpen as early as April 9 against the Mariners. In the right-hander's absence, Yimi Garcia, Chad Green and Tim Mayza are all candidates to handle save chances.
