Jordan

Romano

Yates could potentially be ready for a minor league rehab assignment later this week after hitting the shelf at the end of spring training with knee inflammation. The Angels have gone with Jordan Romano in the closer role to open the year, and he’s done a nice job so far. Yates would give them another proven high-leverage option in the late innings.

Romano wasn’t expected to get a chance at a save, but Chase Silseth gave up a run and put a couple of batters on, so Romano was tasked with getting the final out. He did, and it’s the fourth save of the campaign for the 32-year-old already.

Romano didn’t give up a hit, but he has Jo Adell to thank for that, as he made a diving leap into the right-field fence to rob J.P. Crawford of a homer. He got the next two hitters out without issue, and he’s up to three saves while not allowing an earned run to begin his time with the Halos.

The Angels went on to lose in 10, but Romano did well once again, striking out Leo Rivas and J.P. Crawford. He should remain the clear favorite for saves in Anaheim until he blown a chance.

Romano issued a walk, but didn’t allow a hit while picking up his second save of the season. The 32-year-old will likely see save opportunities as long as Kirby Yates (knee) is out of action, but Drew Pomeranz — who pitched into the ninth Tuesday before exiting — could see some chances, too. It’s not a great situation.

This most likely would have been Romano’s second save in two days if Zach Neto hadn’t homered in the top of the ninth to expand the Angels’ lead from three runs to four. However, since Romano has now pitched two days in a row, Drew Pomeranz, who didn’t throw tonight, is probably the favorite to close should the opportunity arise in Saturday’s game.

It’s nice to hear that Yates’ surprising trip to the injured list with knee inflammation appears to be a minor issue. After throwing a bullpen, it likely won’t be long before he’s back with the club. Jordan Romano secured the save for them on Opening Day with a scoreless ninth inning and it’s anyone’s guess as to who will be ahead in the pecking order for saves when both are in the bullpen together.

With Kirby Yates, Robert Stephenson and Ben Joyce opening the season on the injured list, Romano was given the first shot to step up as the team’s closer. He ran with the opportunity on Thursday, getting a strikeout, a comebacker and a pop out to second base around a two-out walk that he issued to Yainer Diaz. Drew Pomeranz may be a factor if the opposition has strong left-handed hitters due up in the ninth inning, but for the time being it looks like Romano is the pitcher to roster in the Angels’ bullpen if scouring for saves.

This came up completely out of nowhere. It looks like Jordan Romano or Drew Pomeranz will open the season as Los Angeles’ primary ninth-inning option with Yates on the shelf and Robert Stephenson (elbow) done for the year. No word yet regarding how much time Yates is expected to miss. This entire closing situation is a borderline stay-away for fantasy managers outside of extremely deep mixed leagues.

Although his velocity has been down about one mph from last year and two mph from his last strong season in Toronto in 2023, Romano had thrown five scoreless innings this spring coming into this one. He’ll probably be in the Halos’ closing mix with Kirby Yates and Drew Pomeranz initially, though we have more faith in Yates.