Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Begins flat-ground throwing
Rotowire
Romano (back) played catch on flat ground Wednesday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Romano picked up a baseball for the first time since he landed on the 15-day injured list this past Saturday due to lower-back inflammation. He could advance to mound work sometime this weekend and might be able to return to the Blue Jays when first eligible Aug. 13. Yimi Garcia logged the most recent save for Toronto last Friday against the Angels, and the Jays also added Jordan Hicks from the Cardinals ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline. Once Romano is healthy, however, he shouldn't face any competition for saves.
Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: To IL with back inflammation
Rotowire
Romano was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with lower-back inflammation.
Romano will be eligible to return Aug. 13. This first popped up when he had to leave the All-Star Game with lower-back tightness, and he also underwent an MRI on his back in mid-July, although this is his first trip to the IL with the issue. Yimi Garcia seems like the top candidate to get saves in the short term, with Erik Swanson and Tim Mayza also possible options. Nate Pearson was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move.
Romano's lower back locked up on him during Friday's appearance against the Angels, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports. He gave up two hits and a walk in a scoreless two-thirds of an inning.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that the team will evaluate Romano on Saturday morning. Romano's back was bothering him so much that he had to leave his appearance in the All-Star Game, but a subsequent MRI was clean and he's been able to manage the issue in the weeks since. Yimi Garcia replaced Romano in the ninth inning Friday and recorded the final out to secure the save.
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Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Picks up 28th save
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Romano struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Monday's 6-3 extra-innings win over the Dodgers.
Romano turned in a drama-free performance, retiring the side on nine pitches to lock down his second save in as many days. The closer is up to 28 saves in 31 chances this season. He's pitched to a 2.83 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 50:14 K:BB through 41.1 innings. Romano has kept runs off the board in six of his last seven outings.
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Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Secures save Sunday
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Romano issued one walk in a scoreless inning against Seattle on Sunday. He struck out one and earned a save.
Despite throwing just 11 of 21 pitches for strikes Sunday, Romano quickly bounced back from the loss he took Friday against the Mariners. He's now converted 17 straight save opportunities, making him 27-for-30 this season. He lowered his season ERA to 2.90 with a 49:14 K:BB through 40.1 innings.
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Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Handed loss Friday
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Romano (4-5) allowed a run on a hit and two walks over two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Friday versus the Mariners.
It wasn't a save situation, but Romano struggled in his second outing since returning from a back injury suffered at the All-Star Game. He's converted his last 16 save chances, but he's also taken three losses while allowing six runs over 20.1 innings over that span. For the season, Romano has a 2.97 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 48:13 K:BB through 39.1 innings while adding 26 saves in 29 chances.
Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Available to pitch Tuesday
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Romano (back) said he'll be available to pitch out of the Toronto bullpen Tuesday versus the Padres, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.
Romano hasn't made an appearance since he had to leave his All-Star Game outing with lower-back tightness. However, the closer is feeling much better after receiving treatment and is ready to be called upon, if needed.
Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Imaging comes back clean
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Romano (back) underwent an MRI on his lower back which came back clean Saturday, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.
Romano faced just one batter in the All-Star Game before exiting with lower-back tightness, but the problem appears to be a minor one. Tests revealed nothing serious, but he remains day-to-day and was thus unable to pick up the save in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Diamondbacks, with Yimi Garcia getting the opportunity instead.
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Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Day-to-day with back issue
Rotowire
Romano will throw off a mound before Friday's game against the Diamondbacks to test out his back, and it sounds like a day-to-day injury, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
If Romano, who experienced lower-back tightness during the All-Star game, needs an extra day, the Jays have a fresh bullpen, so they would likely opt to go that route if he isn't 100 percent. Matheson said the team doesn't sound worried. Erik Swanson seems like the most likely pitcher to get the save Friday if Romano ends up being unavailable.
Romano left the All-Star Game with a trainer Tuesday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
Romano was reportedly dealing with tightness in his lower back after coming in to pitch the seventh inning. His removal was labeled as precautionary, but he will presumably be evaluated in the near future to determine his status for the start of the second half. Fantasy managers should consider Romano day-to-day for the time being.
