Blue Jays cut ties with 2-time All-Star
Aug 14, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; The Toronto Blue Jays logo during batting practice against the Cleveland Guardians at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
The Toronto Blue Jays appear to be moving on from their longtime closer.
The Blue Jays on Friday non-tendered closing pitcher Jordan Romano, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The move means that the 31-year-old righty will become a free agent.
The Toronto Blue Jays non-tendered closer Jordan Romano, sources tell ESPN. The two-time All-Star, who is 31, will be a free agent.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 22, 2024
Romano has spent his entire six-year MLB career with the Blue Jays organization. His resume includes two All-Star nods in 2022 and 2023 when he was widely considered one of the most dependable closers in baseball.
The Ontario native has a stellar career ERA of 2.90 with 285 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.14 across 229.2 total innings. During his best three-year run from 2021 to 2023, Romano had an ERA of 2.37 with 95 saves, fourth among all relievers in that span.
However, Romano’s 2024 campaign was plagued by a right elbow injury that limited him to just 15 games. He had a bloated ERA of 6.59 over his 13.2 innings pitched.
The Blue Jays’ decision to non-tender Romano does not close the door on him potentially re-signing with the team.
Toronto will avoid paying Romano the $7.75 million he would have been owed had they retained him. But Romano could still opt to re-sign with the team on a smaller deal should he desire to return.
