Jordan

Romano

The deal is now official. Romano heads to Los Angeles as a potential closer alternative in case hard-throwing youngster Ben Joyce isn’t ready to roll after missing nearly all of last season with a shoulder ailment. He’ll be in the mix for high-leverage opportunities with Robert Stephenson and Drew Pomeranz at the outset of the year. The 32-year-old former Blue Jays stopper fell apart last season in his Phillies debut, posting a calamitous 8.23 ERA — 5.39 FIP — and 47/17 K/BB ratio across 42 2/3 innings over 49 appearances. He’s a worthwhile low-risk gamble for the Angels in the event that he’s able to rediscover his previously elite form. He can be left on the waiver wire in most fantasy leagues heading into next season.

It’s probably not the worst idea in the world for the Phillies to give Romano a break since he’s been torched to the tune of a calamitous 8.23 ERA across 42 2/3 innings (49 appearances) this season in his Philadelphia debut. He won’t be trusted in high-leverage spots anytime soon and can be ignored in all fantasy formats.

The Phillies were already down 4-0 when Romano entered in the seventh tonight, so his poor outing probably didn’t cost them a win. What it did do is take his ERA back up to 7.24. He’s pitched a full inning in just one of his four appearances this month, and he’s given up runs the last two times he’s entered games with leads of one to three runs. His roster spot should be in danger.

Romano recorded the final two outs in the eighth to preserve a two-run lead for the Phillies. He returned for the ninth and put two runners on with one out before Patrick Bailey launched a ball that caromed off the top of the wall in right-center as he raced home for an inside-the-park home run to walk it off. Romano hasn’t recorded a save since May 29, with Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering mostly working in a committee for saves.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson handed the ball to Kerkering to protect a three-run lead in the final frame after Jordan Romano and Matt Strahm worked the seventh and eighth innings, respectively, with the score much tighter at the time. The hard-throwing 24-year-old righty made it look easy against the bottom of Miami’s order, getting Eric Wagaman to ground out and striking out Liam Hicks before putting away Connor Norby on a harmless ground out to seal the victory. Kerkering will likely be in position to vulture the occasional save chance moving forward, which gives him some appeal in deeper fantasy formats.

Romano had given up single runs in three straight appearances, taking losses twice, so he needed a rebound outing, even if he was rather unlucky in the losses. The easy inning tonight should keep him in line for save chances. It also doesn’t hurt his cause that Matt Strahm blew a one-run lead in the seventh tonight.

Not much to be done about this. Romano gave up 68- and 75-mph singles before Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who was just looking to sacrifice, dropped down one of the greatest bunts you’ll ever see; it simply hugged the third-bast line before dying inches away from foul territory. Romano was able to strike out Oneil Cruz afterwards, but Nick Gonzales ended the game with a sac fly. Romano also took a loss on Wednesday, but we can’t see this hurting his standing in the Philadelphia pen.

Jeff Hoffman, who went the other way from Philadelphia to Toronto in the offseason, wound up with the win after getting the final out of the top of the ninth. Romano lost the game after Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled and stole second base and Alejandro Kirk hit a long fly off the wall in right-center. It’s not great, but it’s also probably nothing that is going to get him expelled from the closer’s role.

How does one walk three and allow a hit and give up a run? Magic. The magic actually in this case was Ozzie Albies being thrown out trying to steal second base after his free pass. He did strike out two, however, including Eli White with the bases loaded to end the game and give him his eighth save. The adventures of Jordan Romano continue.

Romano had a big misstep Friday against the A’s, though since he gave up three runs in a four-run game, it wasn’t a blown save. That seemed to be an isolated incident, though, and this makes six hitless and scoreless innings in his last seven outings. He’s earned five saves and one hold during the span.