| Jordan Romano | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Romano with theToronto Blue Jays in 2020 | |
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1993-04-21)April 21, 1993 (age 32) Markham, Ontario,Canada | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 12, 2019, for the Toronto Blue Jays | |
| MLB statistics (through 2025 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 22–21 |
| Earned run average | 3.73 |
| Strikeouts | 332 |
| Saves | 113 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Jordan Robert Romano (born April 21, 1993) is a Canadian professionalbaseballpitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theToronto Blue Jays andPhiladelphia Phillies.
Romano attendedFather Michael McGivney Catholic Academy in his home town ofMarkham, Ontario.[1] A standout athlete, he excelled in baseball, basketball, soccer, and volleyball.[2] Undrafted out of high school, he attendedConnors State College. In his first season for Connors State, Romano pitched to a 0–1win–loss record, 8.68earned run average (ERA), and 14strikeouts in 91⁄3innings.[3] The following season, Romano made 10 starts and posted a 4–3 record with a 4.74 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 38 innings pitched, helping get the Cowboys to theNational Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) World Series.[2] After the season, Romano transferred toOral Roberts University, where he played one season for theGolden Eagles. Pitching as the team'scloser, Romano made 29 relief appearances and posted a 3–4 record, 11saves, 2.66 ERA, and 49 strikeouts in 402⁄3 innings.[4]
Romano was selected in the tenth round of the2014 Major League Baseball draft by the Toronto Blue Jays.[1][5] He received a $25,000signing bonus and was assigned to theRookie-levelGulf Coast League Blue Jays. After making two appearances, he was promoted to theBluefield Blue Jays of theRookie-AdvancedAppalachian League, where he finished the 2014 season. In 13 total appearances, Romano posted a 1–1 record, 1.93 ERA, and 34 strikeouts in 28 innings pitched.[1] During spring training for the 2015 season, Romano tore hisulnar collateral ligament, and in April he underwentTommy John surgery. Due to the procedure, he missed the entire 2015 minor league season. Romano was assigned to theLansing Lugnuts of theSingle-AMidwest League at the start of the 2016 season, and was activated off the disabled list on June 13, 2016, to make the first start of his professional career. In the start, he held theGreat Lakes Loons to two hits while striking out seven in a 4–1complete game win.[6][7] Romano finished the 2016 season with a 3–2 record, 2.11 ERA, and 72 strikeouts in 722⁄3 innings pitched.[1] He spent the entire 2017 minor league season with theDunedin Blue Jays of theAdvanced-AFlorida State League, and pitched to a 7–5 record, 3.39 ERA, and 138 strikeouts in 138 innings.[1]
In 2018, the Blue Jays invited Romano tospring training.[8] He began the season with theNew Hampshire Fisher Cats of theDouble-AEastern League.[9] On May 16, Romano pitched six no-hit innings against theHartford Yard Goats, and became the first pitcher in the minors to reach sevenwins.[10] After reaching an 8–0 record with a 2.04 ERA, Romano was promoted to theTriple-ABuffalo Bisons on May 27.[11]
On December 13, 2018, Romano was taken third overall in theRule 5 draft by theChicago White Sox and was immediately traded to theTexas Rangers for cash considerations.[12] On March 24, 2019, he was returned to the Blue Jays.[13]
Romano opened the 2019 season back with Buffalo. On June 12, his contract was selected and he was called up to the major leagues for the first time.[14] He made his major league debut that night, pitching a scoreless 7th inning in an 8–6 victory over theBaltimore Orioles and collecting his first major leaguestrikeout againstPedro Severino.[15]
On July 24, 2020, Romano earned his first MLB win.[16] On August 21, he earned his first MLB save.[17] With the2020 Toronto Blue Jays, Romano appeared in 15 games, compiling a 2-1 record with 1.23 ERA and 21 strikeouts in14+2⁄3 innings pitched.[18] In 2021, Romano became the Blue Jayscloser and went 7–1 with a 2.14 ERA in 63 innings, compiling 23 saves.[19]
On April 11, 2022, Romano set a Blue Jays club record with his 26th consecutive converted save stretching back to the 2021 season, in helping the team to a 3–0 victory over theNew York Yankees.[20][21] On July 17, 2022, it was announced that Romano was selected to the American League All-Star team, his first ever selection.
In 2022, Romano finished third in the American League with 36 saves, striking out 73 batters in 64 innings with a 2.11 ERA. He was charged with the blown save and loss in the Blue Jays Wild Card Game 2 defeat giving up two runs.[22]
On January 13, 2023, Romano signed a one-year, $4.5375 million contract with the Blue Jays, avoiding salary arbitration.[23] He was named to his second-consecutive All-Star team on July 9. To that point in the season, he had recorded 25 saves with a 2.96 ERA[24]
In 2024, Romano made 15 appearances for Toronto, struggling to a 6.59 ERA with 13 strikeouts and 8 saves over13+2⁄3 innings pitched. On July 3, 2024, he was shut down for six weeks after undergoingarthroscopic surgery to repair an impingement in his throwing elbow.[25] On September 7, managerJohn Schneider announced that Romano would be shut down for the remainder of the season.[26] On November 22, the Blue Jays non–tendered Romano, making him a free agent.[27]
On December 9, 2024, Romano signed a one-year, $8.5 million contract with thePhiladelphia Phillies.[28]
In February 2017, it was announced that Romano would play forTeam Italy at the2017 World Baseball Classic.[4][29]