When news broke that the Phillies signed reliever Jordan Romano back in early December, it did not move the needle for a fanbase that was anxiously, and in some cases, impatiently waiting for the club to make a big splash in free agency to get them over the hump in the National League after three consecutive agonizing exits in the postseason.
Jordan Romano flies under the radar
Romano was not the big splash signing. Heck, it barley would cause a ripple in a puddle on the tarp on a rainy day at Citizen Bank Park. However, it has the potential to turn into a much bigger move as the season begins to embark on the 162-game regular season trek with a first pit stop ideally in one of the first two rounds of the NL playoff bracket.
This spring, Romano has been very impressive, tossing 6.2 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts and a 0.75 WHIP. Rob Thomson said last week after Romano finished a bullpen that the 2-time All-Star is “still building”, but his command was good. Romano followed his skipper’s message to the media with another scoreless outing, recording two outs, allowing a hit, striking out a batter and hitting one to earn the win.
At 31, the 1-year, $8.5 million deal with the former Toronto Blue Jay is a show me deal. Romano looks to bounce back after a 2024 season that was hindered by injuries, resulting in him undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow.
Dealing with the ailment, Romano’s numbers were not indicative of what he is capable of on a big league mound. His 6.59 ERA was a career-worst while his 15 appearances were the fewest games in a season since establishing himself as one of the top relievers with Toronto from 2021-23. Romano was sensational during that stretch, being named to a pair of All-Star games racking up 95 saves in 184 appearances with 230 strikeouts to 70 walks across 186 innings while posting an impressive 2.37 ERA and a 178 ERA+.
Phillies might have found a hidden gem in Romano
The injury seems to be behind the reliever who was brought in to be a replacement for former Phillies’ closer Jeff Hoffman who signed with Toronto in the offseason. The new closer shared how well he felt during one of the telecasts with Tom McCarthy and John Kruk on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Romano will have first crack at being the closer this season with Orion Kerkering and Jose Alvarado in the mix for the ninth inning duties if needed. However, if he returns to his form two years ago, the Phillies will have a lock down, All-Star caliber closer to slam the door shut late in games this season.
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Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images
