Phillies' Jordan Romano: One-year contract with Philadelphia
Rotowire
The Phillies agreed to a one-year, $8.5 million contract with Romano (elbow) on Monday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Romano was non-tendered by the Blue Jays last month but winds up getting a little more than what he was projected to receive via arbitration. The 31-year-old was limited to just 15 appearances in 2024 due to a right elbow issue which eventually required surgery, and he allowed 10 runs across 13.2 innings in those appearances. However, Romano is expected to be recovered in time for spring training and he was one of the better relievers in baseball from 2021 to 2023, collecting a 2.37 ERA and 30.3 percent strikeout rate while notching 95 saves. If healthy, he'll be a candidate to see save chances for the Phillies in 2025.
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.
Romano (elbow) has begun throwing on flat ground from 60 feet, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Romano had arthroscopic right elbow surgery two months ago and will now begin ramping things back up with the hope of returning before the end of the season. If the reliever is able to make it back, it probably won't happen until late September, and it's unlikely he'd be thrown back into the closer role at that point.
