Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said that free-agent reliever Jordan Romano (elbow) should be ready for the start of the 2025 season. Atkins said that Romano "will be back physically... We have no medical concerns." However, after being non-tendered by Toronto, Romano is a free agent this winter and will explore the open market. The Blue Jays have a lot of interest in a reunion, though. The 31-year-old right-handed veteran missed four months of the 2024 season due to right-elbow issues, but if he's healthy heading into next season, he should garner plenty of attention in free agency as a late-inning, high-leverage arm. Romano's 2025 fantasy value will largely depend on where he's pitching and whether he's given closing duties. In three seasons in Toronto before 2024, Romano was one of the best closers in baseball with 95 saves, a 2.37 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 230 K's in 186 innings pitched.
The Toronto Blue Jays non-tendered closer Jordan Romano (elbow) on Friday, making him a free agent, according to sources. Romano, a two-time All-Star, missed most of the 2024 campaign due to a right-elbow injury that required arthroscopic surgery in July. The 31-year-old veteran reliever should land on his feet somewhere, although it remains to be seen if he'll be able to return to his All-Star form elsewhere. From 2021 to 2023, the Canadian hurler was outstanding as one of the best closers in baseball, sporting 95 saves, a 2.37 ERA (3.13 FIP), a 1.09 WHIP, 230 strikeouts and 70 walks in 186 relief innings for Toronto. He gave up 10 earned runs in his 15 outings for the Jays in 2024 before getting shut down. Romano's 2025 fantasy value will all depend on whether he's past his elbow issues and what kind of role he has for a new club.
Jordan Romano Won't Return To Blue Jays This Season
Toronto Blue Jays reliever Jordan Romano (elbow) won't return to the Blue Jays' roster this season. Though Romano has been throwing in Florida as part of his recovery over the last few weeks, he simply hasn't had enough time to fully recover. Combine that with the Blue Jays being nine games back of a playoff spot and rushing the 31-year-old back simply wouldn't have made sense. Romano had arthroscopic surgery in July to fix an impingement in his right elbow and hasn't pitched since late May. When Romano pitched this season he was not his normal self, posting a 6.59 ERA with 10 ER in just over 13 innings pitched. Blue Jays fans and fantasy managers alike will have to wait until 2025 to see Romano on the mound again. Those looking for relief pitching help may want to look at Chad Green who has six saves in the last 30 days, leading the Blue Jays with ease. However, take caution as Green also has a 7.45 ERA in that same timespan. Brendon Little and his 2.38 ERA over the last 30 days may be a safer option but with much less opportunity for saves.
Toronto Blue Jays right-handed reliever Jordan Romano (elbow) will not return this season. Romano has been throwing in Florida for over a week but just ran out of time to get back to the big leagues in 2024. He will continue progressing to mound work heading into the offseason. It shouldn't come as a surprise with Toronto not even close to playoff contention with the final several weeks of the season upon us. The 31-year-old Romano underwent arthroscopic right-elbow surgery two months ago and will now focus his attention on being a full-go for the start of spring training in the middle of February in 2025. For the rest of this season, veteran right-hander Chad Green will continue serving as Toronto's primary closer. It was a rough year for fantasy managers that had Romano rostered, as he saved only eight games in 15 appearances while posting a 6.59 ERA and 1.46 WHIP with 13 K's and four walks in 13 2/3 innings.
Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano (elbow) returned to Toronto on Friday prior to the series opener against the visiting Oakland Athletics. He hasn't resumed throwing yet, but manager John Schneider said the club is mapping out a plan and that Romano is "progressing well" from a right elbow impingement. It's been five weeks since Romano underwent arthroscopic surgery on his elbow. Fantasy managers can expect to get him back potentially before the end of 2024, but given that the Jays are out of the playoff picture, it's still possible he won't return this season. The hard-throwing 31-year-old right-hander owns a shaky 6.59 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over 13 2/3 innings, but he has converted eight of his nine save chances. Veteran righty Chad Green has taken over as Toronto's stopper and become a must-roster fantasy asset in Romano's stead, logging a 1.89 ERA, 18 strikeouts, and nine saves in 17 appearances since July 2.
Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano (elbow) underwent arthroscopic surgery on Wednesday to fix an impingement in his right elbow, according to manager John Schneider. Romano won't pick up a baseball for at least six weeks, making a return this season uncertain. It's a tough break for any fantasy managers that drafted Romano this year and had been stashing him in an injured-list spot. Given the uncertainty around whether he'll actually pitch again in 2024, he'll most likely be dropped at this point. Yimi Garcia (elbow) is also on the IL and is looking to go on a minor-league rehab assignment soon. Until then, veteran right-hander Chad Green remains first in line for saves in Toronto. When Garcia returns, it's unclear exactly how Schneider will handle the team's save opportunities.
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jordan Romano (elbow) has been shut down from throwing again, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. Romano experienced more elbow discomfort when throwing on Friday and will now seek further medical evaluation. The Toronto closer has been on the 15-day injured list since June 1 with right elbow inflammation and has faced numerous setbacks in his recovery process. Before the injury, the 31-year-old struggled this season with a 6.59 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and 4:13 BB:K ratio in his limited 13 inning sample size. He tallied only eight saves. While Romano remains sidelined, Chad Green should continue to be expected to serve as the primary ninth-inning option, but 33-year-old Yimi Garcia (elbow) could also become a candidate when he returns from the injured list sometime in July.
Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano (elbow) is back to throwing out to 120 feet on flat ground. The Blue Jays are still working toward getting Romano on a mound, which will begin a more formal rehab schedule, but it's encouraging to hear the hurler is back to where he was at in his throwing program before it was slowed down a week ago due to right elbow inflammation. Although he has a chance to resume throwing off the mound sometime during this weekend's series against the division-rival New York Yankees, Romano is unlikely to rejoin Toronto's bullpen until early July at this point. With Yimi Garcia (elbow) joining Romano on the sidelines, Chad Green is the Jays' favorite for ninth-inning work for the time being and belongs on the majority of fantasy rosters for those who need saves.
Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano (elbow) played some light catch on Monday. Meanwhile, fellow reliever Yimi Garcia (elbow) was throwing from 120 feet. Romano is already playing catch again after reporting some soreness in his right elbow while throwing long toss last Friday. The 31-year-old isn't close to a return, though, especially since he can't seem to shake his right-elbow issues since they first cropped up in spring training. When he has been available, he's been shaky with a 6.59 ERA, a 1.46 WHIP, eight saves and 13 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings. Still, he should be stashed in all fantasy formats as Toronto's primary closer when he's healthy. Garcia has filled in nicely for Romano this year and already has five saves. Until one of Romano or Garcia can return from the injured list, Chad Green will serve as the Jays' first option in save situations.
Toronto Blue Jays reliever Jordan Romano (elbow) was shut down from baseball activities by the team after experiencing soreness in his right elbow while throwing long toss on Friday. The shutdown is only expected to be for a few days but it marks a setback in Romano's recovery. The 31-year-old has been on the injured list since June 1st and missed the start of this season with elbow inflammation, adding to the Blue Jays' need to be cautious with any setbacks. Romano did not perform well while healthy, posting a 6.59 ERA in just over 13 innings while still leading the Blue Jays in saves with eight. In his absence, and with Yimi Garcia being placed on the injured list, Toronto has turned to Nate Pearson for their closer role. Fantasy managers in need of a closer should consider Pearson, though his 4.13 ERA isn't exactly appealing on the surface.
