| Jhon Romero | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Romero with theColumbus Clippers in 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Free agent | |||||||||||||||
| Relief pitcher | |||||||||||||||
| Born: (1995-01-17)January 17, 1995 (age 30) Cartagena,Colombia | |||||||||||||||
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |||||||||||||||
| MLB debut | |||||||||||||||
| September 24, 2021, for the Washington Nationals | |||||||||||||||
| MLB statistics (through 2022 season) | |||||||||||||||
| Win–loss record | 0–0 | ||||||||||||||
| Earned run average | 4.00 | ||||||||||||||
| Strikeouts | 9 | ||||||||||||||
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |||||||||||||||
| Teams | |||||||||||||||
Medals
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Jhon Jairo Romero (born January 17, 1995) is a Colombian professionalbaseballpitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theWashington Nationals andMinnesota Twins.
As a boy, Romero playedcatcher, but he began finding success as a pitcher as he matured. Older than most international amateurs when he joined a professional baseball organization, Romero was 20 years old when theChicago Cubs signed him out of Colombia in 2015 and assigned him to theirDominican Summer Leagueaffiliate. At the time, Cubs scout Manuel Esquivia said the organization envisioned him as a possible futurecloser, as he touched 94 miles per hour (151 km/h) in his tryout with the Chicago organization.[1]
After spending two seasons in the Dominican Summer League, Romero was assigned to the Cubs' stateside affiliates in the 2017 season and shot through the low minors, rising from theArizona League Cubs to the short-seasonEugene Emeralds of theNorthwest League before finishing out the season with theSouth Bend Cubs of theMidwest League. He led Cubs relief prospects with a 0.86 ERA[2] and led all minor league pitchers who pitched at least 25 innings with a 0.62 WHIP that year, across the three levels.[3]
Promoted to theMyrtle Beach Pelicans in the Advanced-ACarolina League to begin the 2018 season, Romero posted a 3.27 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 32 appearances through July.[4]
Hours before theMajor League Baseball trade deadline on July 31, 2018, the Cubs traded Romero to theWashington Nationals forBrandon Kintzler.[5] Although effective finishing out the year with thePotomac Nationals, Washington's High-A affiliate, Romero struggled in 2019 and was ultimately diagnosed with a tornulnar collateral ligament of the elbow in his right throwing arm. He underwentTommy John surgery to replace the damaged ligament, missing the remainder of the 2019 season and not playing in 2020 due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[6]
In the minor leagues in 2021, Romero advanced from the Double-AHarrisburg Senators to the Triple-ARochester Red Wings. Across those two levels, he put up a 2.62 ERA while appearing in 38 games, all of them as a reliever.[7] On September 23, 2021, the Nationals selected Romero's contract from Rochester and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time.[8] Romero made his major league debut the following day against theCincinnati Reds, pitching a scoreless inning of relief.[9]
On March 17, 2022, Romero was designated for assignment by the Nationals after the signing ofNelson Cruz was made official.[10]
On March 21, 2022, Romero was claimed off waivers by theMinnesota Twins.[11] He made 4 appearances for the big-league club, recording a 3.60 ERA with 6 strikeouts in 5.0 innings pitched. On May 11, Romero was placed on the 60-day injured list with right biceps inflammation.[12] He would miss the remainder of the season with the injury. On October 12, Romero was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple–ASt. Paul Saints after clearing waivers.[13] He elected free agency following the season on November 10.[14]
On March 20, 2023, Romero signed a minor league contract with theCleveland Guardians organization.[15] In 34 games for the Triple–AColumbus Clippers, he logged a 4.28 ERA with 56 strikeouts and 1 save in48+1⁄3 innings pitched. On August 3, Romero was placed on the injured list with right elbow soreness.[16] He was released by the Guardians on August 8.[17]
On March 8, 2024, Romero signed with theLeones de Yucatán of theMexican League.[18] In 22 games, he logged a 3.38 ERA with 27 strikeouts and 4saves across21+1⁄3 innings of relief.
On June 21, 2024, Romero was traded to theRieleros de Aguascalientes of theMexican League.[19] In 16 games for Aguascalientes, he posted a 4–2 record and 5.60 ERA with 18 strikeouts and 3 saves across17+2⁄3 innings pitched. Romero was released by the Rieleros on January 16, 2025.[20]
On May 9, 2025, Romero signed with theTecolotes de los Dos Laredos of theMexican League.[21] In nine appearances for Dos Laredos, he logged a 2-0 record and 6.75 with 10 strikeouts across eight innings of work. Romero was released by the Tecolotes on June 1.[22]
On June 6, 2025, Romero was claimed off waivers by theConspiradores de Querétaro of theMexican League.[23] In seven appearances for Querétaro, he recorded a 5.68 ERA with seven strikeouts across6+1⁄3 innings pitched. Romero was released by the Conspiradores on July 4.[24]
