DETROIT, MI – JULY 07: A general view of the bat weight with the Toronto logo is seen lying on the ground in the on-deck circle during a regular season Major League Baseball game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Detroit Tigers on July 7, 2023 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The career arc of one former Toronto Blue Jays closer and Canada native has changed pretty drastically in the last few years.
Once one of baseball’s most reliable late-inning relievers and a two-time All-Star in Toronto, injuries and inconsistency eventually cost him opportunities with multiple organizations.
Now, after being released earlier this season, Jordan Romano has worked his way back to the major leagues with a National League club, giving the veteran reliever another opportunity to revive his career.
Toronto Blue Jays Former Closer Jordan Romano Gets Another Opportunity After Cut
“The (Colorado) Rockies selected Romano’s contract from Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday,” CBS Sports reported. “Romano inked a minor-league contract with Colorado in early May and has since been throwing for Albuquerque.”
The promotion marks Romano’s return to the majors just weeks after his stint with the Los Angeles Angels ended. Rather than letting his season slip away, the former Blue Jays standout accepted a minor league opportunity with Colorado and earned another call-up through his performance.
“He was cut by the Angels in late April after posting a 10.13 ERA over 11 appearances,” Charlie Wright wrote for MLB Trade Rumors. “Romano got back on track during his two months in the minors, compiling a 3.72 ERA over 10 games between Rookie ball and Triple-A. He sat at 93.9 mph with the four-seamer, down slightly from his stint with Los Angeles.”
While his velocity hasn’t returned to previous levels, Colorado evidently saw enough improvement to reward Romano with another chance at the highest level.
Toronto Blue Jays Success Still Defines Jordan Romano’s Career
Romano’s recent struggles stand in stark contrast to the dominance he displayed in Toronto.
“Romano had three seasons as an elite closer with the Blue Jays from 2021 to 2023,” Wright added. “He was an All-Star in the latter two years. An arm injury derailed Romano from there. He dealt with elbow inflammation on multiple occasions in 2024 and hasn’t been able to perform consistently in the majors since then. Romano opened last year as the (Philadelphia) Phillies’ closer, but fell out of the role by June.”
Whether this latest opportunity becomes a long-term comeback remains to be seen, but Colorado’s decision gives the former Blue Jays All-Star another chance to prove he can still contribute in meaningful innings after a difficult stretch that included injuries, an Angels release and time rebuilding his confidence in Triple-A.