For the second time this season, the Toronto Blue Jays have placed closer Jordan Romano on the injured list. Romano’s placement on the IL is retroactive to May 30th.
The closer got a late start to the season after he was first sidelined with elbow inflammation in spring training. He made his season debut on April 16th, and Romano is back on the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation.
Romano has been uncharacteristically shaky this season, pitching to a 6.59 ERA over 13 ⅔ innings of work. The 31-year-old right-hander has not looked right in between his two stints on the injured list. Romano underwent an MRI on Friday that revealed no structural damage in his right elbow.
Jordan Romano underwent an MRI last night that revealed no structural damage, said John Schneider. He won’t throw for a few days and Blue Jays will go from there.
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) June 1, 2024
Romano was not available for Friday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after experiencing “soreness” following his outing in Chicago on Wednesday. He produced a 9.00 ERA with two losses and a blown save in nine appearances for Toronto in May. So, the 15-day absence could serve as a restart for the All-Star closer to get him back on track and put his injury behind him.
Romano received an anti-inflammatory injection and will back off from throwing for three days before working his way back from his first stint on the injured list. It’s unclear what Toronto’s plan for Romano is now that his elbow has forced him back onto the injured list.
Blue Jays Place Jordan Romano Back on the Injured List
Jordan Romano will once again join starting pitcher Alek Manoah on the Blue Jays’ 15-day injured list. The pair of right-handers began the season on the IL after suffering arm injuries during spring training. Unlike Romano, Manoah’s MRI revealed an ulnar collateral ligament sprain in his right elbow. Manoah is scheduled to get a second opinion on his elbow injury from renowned surgeon Dr. Keith Meister next week.
ROSTER MOVES:
? RHP Jordan Romano has been placed on the 15-day IL (right elbow inflammation)
? LHP Brendon Little recalled from Triple-A and will be active today pic.twitter.com/eNQrtsFYIZ
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) June 1, 2024
In a corresponding move, Toronto recalled left-hander Brendon Little from Triple-A Buffalo to take Romano’s spot on the active roster. Little will be active for Saturday’s game against the Pirates.
In Romano’s absence, Yimi García and Chad Green are the front runners to slide into the Blue Jays ninth-inning role. Going into Saturday’s contest, Toronto’s bullpen ranked 26th of 30 teams with a 4.60 bullpen ERA. García has been the most consistent and reliable reliever in the Blue Jays bullpen so far this season. Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that García, who served as Toronto’s closer prior to Romano’s return, will likely get the majority of the save opportunities.
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