Jordan Romano DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jordan Romano tossed a shutout frame in his spring debut. This was his first time facing live hitters since May as he battled a right elbow injury during most of the 2024 season. His fastball reached 98 mph, which did not dip below 96 mph. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status throughout camp but seeing him perform well in his first taste of spring training is a positive sign. Last season, the 31-year-old was limited to just 13 2/3 innings of work. Romano posted a high 6.59 ERA with a 1.46 WHIP during this brief stint. He tallied 13 punchouts and served up four free passes. However, during 2022 and 2023, Romano tallied at least 36 saves in each campaign and held a cumulative 2.49 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP. Fantasy managers should expect Romano to operate as the team's go-to option in the ninth innings if he continues to perform at this level during camp.

Free-agent right-hander Jordan Romano (elbow) agreed to a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday for above his projected salary arbitration number of $7.75 million, according to a source. The deal is pending a physical, which is more important after he was limited to only 15 appearances in 2024 with the Toronto Blue Jays due to a right-elbow injury that required surgery. The 31-year-old right-hander became a free agent when Toronto non-tendered him in November, but Romano quickly finds a new landing spot in the National League and could certainly bounce-back as a high-leverage fantasy arm with one of the best teams in baseball next season if he's past his elbow issues. From 2021 to 2023 with the Jays, Romano was one of the most dominant closers in baseball with a 2.37 ERA, 30.3% strikeout rate and 95 saves. If healthy, he should be Philly's primary ninth-inning guy in 2025.

Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said that free-agent reliever Jordan Romano (elbow) should be ready for the start of the 2025 season. Atkins said that Romano "will be back physically... We have no medical concerns." However, after being non-tendered by Toronto, Romano is a free agent this winter and will explore the open market. The Blue Jays have a lot of interest in a reunion, though. The 31-year-old right-handed veteran missed four months of the 2024 season due to right-elbow issues, but if he's healthy heading into next season, he should garner plenty of attention in free agency as a late-inning, high-leverage arm. Romano's 2025 fantasy value will largely depend on where he's pitching and whether he's given closing duties. In three seasons in Toronto before 2024, Romano was one of the best closers in baseball with 95 saves, a 2.37 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 230 K's in 186 innings pitched.