JoJo Romero DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher JoJo Romero (forearm) threw live batting practice earlier this week. Romero ended the 2024 campaign on the injured list with right forearm inflammation. However, seeing him already facing live hitters suggests he is past the injury and a full-go for spring training. Romero enjoyed a strong 2024 campaign, holding a 3.36 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP across 59 innings. He tallied 51 punchouts and showed strong command as he allowed walks at a 6.6 percent rate. Romero was very valuable in holds leagues as he tallied 30 holds, operating as the setup man for closer Ryan Helsley. Fantasy managers should expect the 28-year-old to continue operating in this role during the 2025 campaign, making him a strong target in holds leagues.

St. Louis Cardinals left-handed reliever JoJo Romero (forearm) is scheduled to start a throwing program this week. Romero was placed on the 15-day injured list in the last week of the regular season due to left-forearm inflammation. With the 28-year-old southpaw already starting a throwing program before the start of the World Series, he'll have plenty of time to rehab this offseason in order to be ready to go for the start of spring training in mid-February. The former fourth-round pick of the Philadelphia Phillies in 2016 out of Yavapai College made a career-high 65 appearances out of St. Louis' bullpen in 2024 and posted a career-best 3.36 ERA (4.27 FIP), a 1.15 WHIP, one save, a career-high 51 strikeouts and 16 walks in 59 innings pitched. If healthy, he could have another workhorse role in the Cards' bullpen next year.