Fantasy News

• Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Notches save in season debut

  Rotowire Apr 17, 2024

  Romano gave up one run on one hit plus a hit by pitch in the ninth inning Tuesday to record his first save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Yankees. Making his first appearance of 2024 after beginning the year on the IL due to elbow inflammation, Romano wasn't quite his usual dominant self, but his velocity was fine - he topped out at 97.6 mph with his fastball - and he was able to get the job done. The right-hander has produced 36 saves in each of the last two seasons, and he has a secure hold on the closer role in Toronto.

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• Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Activated Tuesday, as expected

  Rotowire Apr 16, 2024

  The Blue Jays reinstated Romano (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday. Romano recently completed a two-game rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo and is ready to make his season debut after missing the first few weeks of the season with elbow inflammation. The 30-year-old righty recorded 36 saves in each of the past two seasons, and manager John Schneider indicated Romano will immediately reclaim the closer role now that he's healthy, per Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca.

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• Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Rehab assignment starting Thursday

  Rotowire Apr 9, 2024

  Romano (elbow) is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports. Mitchell writes that Romano "should be active soon after that if all goes well." Romano has had a late start to the season because of right elbow inflammation, but it sounds like he should be back closing games for the Blue Jays within the next week or so.

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• Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Throws live batting practice

  Rotowire Apr 8, 2024

  Romano (elbow) threw a live batting practice session Sunday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports. The Blue Jays are still determining what the next steps for Romano will be, but a rehab assignment would seem imminent. Romano has been ramping things back up after being diagnosed with elbow inflammation late in spring training. There's no timetable for his return, but one should become clearer in the coming days.

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• Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Completes side session

  Rotowire Apr 2, 2024

  Romano (elbow) threw a successful side session Tuesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports. It represents Romano's first mound work since he was diagnosed with elbow inflammation late in spring training, so it's a significant step in his throwing program. The right-hander will likely need a few more sessions before advancing to facing live hitters.

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• Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Set for bullpen session

  Rotowire Apr 1, 2024

  Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday that Romano (elbow) is set to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports. Romano started the season on the 15-day IL due to right elbow inflammation he sustained in spring training. His bullpen session Tuesday will be the first time he's thrown off the mound since his injury, and the team is optimistic that the right-hander will need only a minimum stay on the injured list.

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• Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Placed on 15-day IL

  Rotowire Mar 28, 2024

  The Blue Jays placed Romano (elbow) on the 15-day injured list Thursday. General manager Ross Atkins indicated recently that he's hopeful Romano will require only a minimum stay on the IL, which would mean an activation April 9. Romano hasn't yet resumed throwing off a mound, however, so he still has some hurdles to clear before Atkins' hopes are realized. Chad Green, Yimi Garcia and Tim Mayza are candidates for saves while Romano is out, with Erik Swanson (forearm) also potentially entering the mix if he beats Romano back from the IL.

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• Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Likely facing minimum IL stint

  Rotowire Mar 28, 2024

  Romano (elbow) isn't expected to need much time to build back up once he's cleared to start throwing off a mound again, and Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins believes the right-hander will only need a minimum stay on the injured list, Gregor Chisholm of the Toronto Star reports. The Toronto closer was given an anti-inflammatory injection early last week after an MRI on his elbow showed no structural issues. A backdated placement on the IL for Romano and a minimum 15-day stay could have him back in the Jays bullpen as early as April 9 against the Mariners. In the right-hander's absence, Yimi Garcia, Chad Green and Tim Mayza are all candidates to handle save chances.

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• Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Headed to injured list

  Rotowire Mar 27, 2024

  Blue Jays manager John Schneider confirmed Wednesday that Romano (elbow) will begin the season on the injured list, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports. The skipper had indicated Monday that an IL stint for Romano was a strong possibility, and now he's confirmed it. The good news is Romano seems to be on the mend and the hope is that he will be ready to resume throwing off a mound next week. With Erik Swanson (forearm) also out, Chad Green, Yimi Garcia and Tim Mayza are in the mix for early-season saves in Toronto's bullpen.

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• Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Likely to open season on IL

  Rotowire Mar 25, 2024

  Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Monday that it's "reasonable to say" that Romano (elbow) will begin the season on the injured list, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports. Erik Swanson (forearm) is also expected to be IL-bound, which could leave closing duties, at least initially, to Yimi Garcia or perhaps Chad Green. Romano was slated to play catch over the weekend and the hope is that he'll begin ramping up with mound work next week, so it's possible his stint on the injured list is a relatively short one. For now, though, there is no timetable.

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• Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Slated to play catch Saturday

  Rotowire Mar 22, 2024

  Romano (elbow) will play catch Saturday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports. Romano was diagnosed with right elbow inflammation earlier this week and was prescribed a few days of rest after being given an anti-inflammatory injection. He'll try to do some throwing Saturday as he attempts to ramp back up in time for Opening Day. The Blue Jays plan to wait until the very end of camp before making an injured list decision on their closer.

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• Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Cruising through spring

  Rotowire Mar 11, 2024

  Romano walked two and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning during a split-squad game against the Orioles on Sunday. The free passes were the first Romano had issued this spring, and through 4.1 innings over five appearances he's rung up a 6:2 K:BB. The 30-year-old is locked in as the Blue Jays' closer after posting a sub-3.00 ERA in each of the last three seasons while racking up 95 saves in 106 chances.

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• Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Notches 36th save

  Rotowire Sep 22, 2023

  Romano picked up the save in Friday's 6-2 win over Tampa Bay. He allowed no hits and one walk while striking out one over 1.1 scoreless innings. Romano entered with the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth and induced a Curtis Mead grounder to escape the jam before shutting down the Rays in the ninth. The 30-year-old closer added to his current stretch of consecutive saves, pushing the mark up to 26. He hasn't blown a save since May 20 against the Orioles. Romano has produced another steady season with a 2.40 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 69:24 K:BB over 56.1 innings.

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• Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Earns 35th save

  Rotowire Sep 15, 2023

  Romano picked up the save Friday against Boston. He struck out two over a perfect inning. Romano had uncharacteristically allowed eight baserunners and three runs (two earned) over his previous three appearances spanning four innings but slammed the door on the Red Sox with a strikeout, foulout and a trikeout to comfortably secure his 35th save of the season. The Jays' closer now holds a 2.59 ERA with 66 strikeouts in 53 innings and remains one of the top relievers in baseball.

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• Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Targeting Tuesday return

  Rotowire Aug 11, 2023

  Romano (back) is on track to return to the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports. Romano is scheduled to begin a minor-league rehab assignment Saturday with Triple-A Buffalo and could be activated from the IL after making just one appearance for the Bisons. The 30-year-old closer has been sidelined since late July because of lower-back inflammation.

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• Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Another bullpen Wednesday

  Rotowire Aug 8, 2023

  Romano (back) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Wednesday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports. Romano resumed throwing off a mound over the weekend and has responded well so far. Out since late July due to lower-back inflammation, he could skip a minor-league rehab assignment and return to the Blue Jays' closer role when first eligible this Sunday. Erik Swanson and Jordan Hicks have largely been sharing ninth-inning duties in his absence.

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• Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Cleared for mound work

  Rotowire Aug 6, 2023

  Romano (back) completed a bullpen session Sunday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports. Romano seems to be making good progress in his recovery from lower-back inflammation and looks like he'll have a chance at returning from the 15-day injured list when first eligible Aug. 13. While Romano has been sidelined, the Blue Jays have leaned on Erik Swanson (two saves) and Jordan Hicks (one save) in closing situations.

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• Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Begins flat-ground throwing

  Rotowire Aug 2, 2023

  Romano (back) played catch on flat ground Wednesday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports. Romano picked up a baseball for the first time since he landed on the 15-day injured list this past Saturday due to lower-back inflammation. He could advance to mound work sometime this weekend and might be able to return to the Blue Jays when first eligible Aug. 13. Yimi Garcia logged the most recent save for Toronto last Friday against the Angels, and the Jays also added Jordan Hicks from the Cardinals ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline. Once Romano is healthy, however, he shouldn't face any competition for saves.

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• Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Back issues resurface

  Rotowire Jul 28, 2023

  Romano's lower back locked up on him during Friday's appearance against the Angels, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports. He gave up two hits and a walk in a scoreless two-thirds of an inning. Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that the team will evaluate Romano on Saturday morning. Romano's back was bothering him so much that he had to leave his appearance in the All-Star Game, but a subsequent MRI was clean and he's been able to manage the issue in the weeks since. Yimi Garcia replaced Romano in the ninth inning Friday and recorded the final out to secure the save.

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• Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Secures save Sunday

  Rotowire Jul 23, 2023

  Romano issued one walk in a scoreless inning against Seattle on Sunday. He struck out one and earned a save. Despite throwing just 11 of 21 pitches for strikes Sunday, Romano quickly bounced back from the loss he took Friday against the Mariners. He's now converted 17 straight save opportunities, making him 27-for-30 this season. He lowered his season ERA to 2.90 with a 49:14 K:BB through 40.1 innings.

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