Jordan Romano DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

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.

The Toronto Blue Jays non-tendered closer Jordan Romano (elbow) on Friday, making him a free agent, according to sources. Romano, a two-time All-Star, missed most of the 2024 campaign due to a right-elbow injury that required arthroscopic surgery in July. The 31-year-old veteran reliever should land on his feet somewhere, although it remains to be seen if he'll be able to return to his All-Star form elsewhere. From 2021 to 2023, the Canadian hurler was outstanding as one of the best closers in baseball, sporting 95 saves, a 2.37 ERA (3.13 FIP), a 1.09 WHIP, 230 strikeouts and 70 walks in 186 relief innings for Toronto. He gave up 10 earned runs in his 15 outings for the Jays in 2024 before getting shut down. Romano's 2025 fantasy value will all depend on whether he's past his elbow issues and what kind of role he has for a new club.

Toronto Blue Jays reliever Jordan Romano (elbow) won't return to the Blue Jays' roster this season. Though Romano has been throwing in Florida as part of his recovery over the last few weeks, he simply hasn't had enough time to fully recover. Combine that with the Blue Jays being nine games back of a playoff spot and rushing the 31-year-old back simply wouldn't have made sense. Romano had arthroscopic surgery in July to fix an impingement in his right elbow and hasn't pitched since late May. When Romano pitched this season he was not his normal self, posting a 6.59 ERA with 10 ER in just over 13 innings pitched. Blue Jays fans and fantasy managers alike will have to wait until 2025 to see Romano on the mound again. Those looking for relief pitching help may want to look at Chad Green who has six saves in the last 30 days, leading the Blue Jays with ease. However, take caution as Green also has a 7.45 ERA in that same timespan. Brendon Little and his 2.38 ERA over the last 30 days may be a safer option but with much less opportunity for saves.

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed reliever Jordan Romano (elbow) will not return this season. Romano has been throwing in Florida for over a week but just ran out of time to get back to the big leagues in 2024. He will continue progressing to mound work heading into the offseason. It shouldn't come as a surprise with Toronto not even close to playoff contention with the final several weeks of the season upon us. The 31-year-old Romano underwent arthroscopic right-elbow surgery two months ago and will now focus his attention on being a full-go for the start of spring training in the middle of February in 2025. For the rest of this season, veteran right-hander Chad Green will continue serving as Toronto's primary closer. It was a rough year for fantasy managers that had Romano rostered, as he saved only eight games in 15 appearances while posting a 6.59 ERA and 1.46 WHIP with 13 K's and four walks in 13 2/3 innings.