68 Jordan Romano RP

Romano appears in strong position to earn a spot in the Blue Jays' Opening Day bullpen after Rafael Dolis required an appendectomy Tuesday, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

Dolis will be shut down for a week before he's even re-evaluated, making it likely he begins the season on the 15-day injured list. His expected absence opens up an extra spot in the bullpen, but Romano already looked on track to break camp with the Jays even before Dolis underwent the emergency procedure. Through his first four Grapefruit League outings, Romano had tossed four scoreless frames, permitting only two hits and no walks while striking out six. Given the Jays' lack of established options beyond closer Ken Giles, Romano could have good opportunity to claim a key setup role early on in the campaign.

Romano struck out one in a scoreless fourth inning Saturday against the Yankees while hitting 98 mph with his fastball, Gregor Chisholm of The Toronto Star reports.

The 26-year-old had a rough big-league debut last year, posting a 7.63 ERA and 1.70 WHIP through 15.1 innings, but his 28.0 percent strikeout rate -- on the heels of 53 Ks in 37.2 innings for Triple-A Buffalo -- and high-octane stuff have kept him in the picture for the Jays. If Romano can sharpen his control and command and put together a strong spring, he could head north with a high-leverage role in a bullpen that remains unsettled behind closer Ken Giles.

Romano left Saturday's game against the Yankees with a sprained right ankle, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Romano was forced to exit after being struck by a line drive, though he evidently didn't suffer an impact injury but rather twisted his ankle while fielding the ball. It's not clear how much time he's expected to miss.

Romano left Saturday's game against the Yankees in clear pain after getting hit by a line drive, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The exact nature and severity of the injury are not yet clear. The reliever recorded two outs and allowed one hit prior to leaving the game.

Romano was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

He comes up in a corresponding move to Ken Giles landing on the paternity list, so Romano's stay in the majors could be brief. He has given up three earned runs while striking out 11 in 5.1 innings (four appearances) in the majors this season.

Romano has been on Triple-A Buffalo's 7-day injured list since July 11 due to an oblique injury.

According to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca, Romano reported to the Blue Jays' spring training facility in Florida approximately two weeks ago to begin a throwing program. It's unclear how much progress Romano has made in his recovery to this point, as he has yet to receive clearance for a rehab assignment at a lower-level affiliate. Over 17 appearances with Buffalo this season, Romano has posted a 5.82 ERA while striking out 47 in 34 innings.

Romano was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.

Romano made four appearances during his time in Toronto, striking out an incredible 57.9 percent of opposing batters while recording an unimpressive 5.06 ERA. Sean Reid-Foley was recalled in a corresponding move.

Romano struck out two batters in a scoreless inning of relief during Wednesday's win over the Orioles.

The right-hander had a hectic offseason, being claimed by the White Sox then traded to the Rangers before being offered back to the Jays when he failed to make the 25-man roster for Texas, but he finally made his big-league debut with his original club. Romano was converted to the bullpen this year at Triple-A Buffalo and had been thriving as the Bisons' closer prior to his promotion, reeling off eight straight scoreless appearances with a 15:2 K:BB over 10.1 innings -- momentum he carried with him to the majors. If he keeps producing results, he could not only hold onto his spot in Toronto when Ken Giles (elbow) comes off the IL, but might work his way into a high-leverage role.

Romano's contract was selected by the Blue Jays on Wednesday.

Romano has a poor 6.10 ERA in 31 innings for Triple-A Buffalo this season, though his 31.4 percent strikeout rate does suggest some promise. The placement of Ken Giles (elbow) on the 10-day injured list opened a spot on the 25-man roster, and Clay Buchholz's (shoulder) shift to the 60-day injured list carved out a slot on the 40-man.

Romano will have his contract purchased from Triple-A Buffalo, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Romano is slated to join the Blue Jays in Baltimore, though it's unclear when he'll be officially added to the roster. The right-hander, who was selected in the Rule 5 draft in December before being returned to Toronto, has been lights out over his last nine relief appearances, compiling a 0.73 ERA and 18:3 K:BB in 12.1 innings for Buffalo.

Romano returned to the Blue Jays on Sunday after going unclaimed on waivers, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Romano was a Rule 5 pick with Texas but will make his way back to Toronto after being informed he would not make the Opening Day roster. The 25-year-old spent the majority of 2018 at Double-A New Hampshire and had a 4.13 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 125:41 K:BB over 137.1 innings (25 starts).

Romano has been informed he won't make the Rangers' roster, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

As a Rule 5 pick, Romano will now have to be offered back to the Blue Jays. He failed to make his case for a roster spot after recording a mediocre 6:5 K:BB in 9.1 innings this spring.

Romano allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two over two scoreless innings Friday against the Indians.

Romano has bounced back with a pair of scoreless outings after getting hit hard March 7. "He is looking better and better," manager Chris Woodward told T.R. Sullivan of the MLB.com. "He's got conviction behind his pitches. We really challenged him after that and he's accepted it. He has pitched really well. That was impressive. He got hit pretty hard and he bounced back." As a Rule 5 selection, Romano needs to make the Opening Day roster or be offered back to the Blue Jays. The White Sox originally selected him from the Blue Jays then flipped him to the Rangers for cash considerations. The right-hander was a starter in the Blue Jays organization but will be a reliever for Texas. Five of his six Cactus League outings have been scoreless.

The Rangers acquired Romano from the White Sox on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations.

Romano is headed to Texas shortly after being selected with the third pick in Thursday's Rule 5 draft. The 25-year-old righty spent the majority of the 2018 season with Double-A New Hampshire, posting a 4.13 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 125:41 K:BB across 137.1 innings (25 starts). Romano could make some starts for the Rangers given their lack of rotation depth, though he seems more likely to work in a low-leverage role out of the bullpen.

Romano was selected by the White Sox with the third pick in the Rule 5 draft.

A 25-year-old righty, Romano spent almost all of last season at Double-A for the Blue Jays, logging a 4.13 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 125 strikeouts in 137.1 innings. He made one start at Triple-A. There are rumors that Romano may be traded shortly after the draft. If he sticks with the White Sox, he may make some starts, but it seems likely that the bulk of his work will come in low-leverage spots out of the bullpen.