The Blue Jays announced that closer Jordan Romano has been positioned on the 15-day injured list as a consequence of lower-back irritation. Righty Nate Pearson was referred to as up from Triple-A to take Romano’s spot on the lively roster.
Romano was clearly struggling via Friday’s outing, as he allowed two singles and a stroll over two-thirds of an inning earlier than departing the sport. However, lower-back issues additionally compelled Romero to make an early exit from the All-Star Game, and he didn’t make his second-half debut till July 20 (9 days after the ASG). It appeared as if Romero and the Jays had efficiently managed the issue with out an IL stint, but the right-hander will now miss a minimum of the subsequent 15 days.
It may very well be {that a} correct IL journey will absolutely right Romano’s again situation, and he’ll return sooner or later to assist the Blue Jays throughout their playoff push. Unfortunately for the Jays, they’ll need to make do with out their star closer for greater than two weeks, which may very well be a tough proposition for a membership in a decent postseason race, and contemplating the Blue Jays’ tendency to play shut video games.
Romano’s 28 saves tied him with Felix Bautista and Emmanuel Clase for the AL lead, and the Toronto reliever has backed up his ninth-inning report with a 2.79 ERA over 42 innings. A below-average 8.5% stroll price is the one actual blemish on Romano’s in any other case robust Statcast web page, and he has blossomed into one among baseball’s higher relievers since taking on the Blue Jays’ shut function in 2021.
The Jays bullpen has quietly posted some spectacular numbers in 2023, so Toronto might need sufficient depth to make up for Romano’s absence if he misses solely 15 days. Erik Swanson might be the likeliest candidate for save alternatives, however the Blue Jays may flip to any of Swanson, Tim Mayza, Yimi Garcia or Pearson relatively than set up a set closer.
Outside assist might additionally come earlier than Aug. 1, as is commonly the case when any contending staff suffers a notable harm this near the commerce deadline. Even with the Jays’ high quality bullpen outcomes, it’s secure to imagine that the membership (like principally each contender) is exploring extra reduction depth, and Romano’s harm may make the Jays extra aggressive in looking for out one other additional arm. Chad Green is rehabbing from Tommy John surgical procedure and is anticipated to make his Blue Jays debut sooner or later in August, so Toronto additionally has an attention-grabbing in-house reliever on the verge of becoming a member of the combination.
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