The Philadelphia Phillies’ choice to let Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez leave in free agency has proven puzzling. Last season, their bullpen ranked among the stronger units in the league when fully locked in, and parting ways with their two most reliable right-handers was always going to be a gamble. In response, the team signed veteran Jordan Romano, a righty with a history of being a dependable arm—when healthy.
However, Romano’s struggles from last season with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he posted a 6.59 ERA, have unfortunately carried over to Philadelphia. So far this season, he has recorded a 15.26 ERA across nine appearances, making him one of the least effective relievers in the majors. At 31, and expected to play a key role in closing games, Romano has become a major liability instead of the anchor the bullpen needed.
According to The Athletic’s Matt Gelb, the team is growing increasingly concerned. “The club is baffled by Romano’s first nine outings,” Gelb reported. “He has a 15.26 ERA in 7 2/3 innings. On Saturday, he hit 99.8 mph with a fastball—one of the fastest of his career—but the Marlins hitters teed off anyway.” Earlier this season, when Romano’s velocity dipped to the low 90s, manager Rob Thomson blamed overuse. Now, with his velocity back up but results still lacking, Romano’s recent inactivity is being considered as a factor.
If Romano doesn’t turn things around quickly, the Phillies may need to look elsewhere. While his résumé includes two All-Star selections, his current form is nowhere near what Philadelphia needs—and that poses a serious problem for a team with postseason ambitions.