On Sunday afternoon, the Los Angeles Angels made a number of roster moves, which included designating Jordan Romano for assignment. Joey Lucchesi was selected to take his spot.
Romano, 33, used to be the closer for the Toronto Blue Jays and spent six seasons with the club. He’s put together a solid career, but ever since departing from Toronto, Romano has not been effective as a pitcher.
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Jordan Romano DFA’d by Angels
GettyANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 17: Logan O’Hoppe #14 of the Los Angeles Angels congratulates Jordan Romano #68 after the final out of the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 17, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
A DFA does not mean that Romano is released from the Angels, although that’s a strong possibility in the next week. He will spend seven days in DFA limbo, where the Angels will have a week to either trade him or outright him to the minors. Romano likely won’t accept the option and will elect free agency instead. He’s an aging reliever with stats that aren’t very encouraging, but he was named to two All-Star teams with the Blue Jays.
In eight innings this season, Jordan Romano has given up nine earned runs and surrendered six walks. He still has some swing and miss in his arsenal, but after a poor season with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2025, Romano may be running out of chances. Romano has four saves this season and was actually off to a promising start before the wheels started to fall off in the last couple of outings.
He gave up four earned runs on Saturday, and actually posted a scoreless frame against his old team, the Blue Jays, last week.
In 2025 with the Phillies, he pitched 42.2 innings and had an ERA of 8.23.
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Jordan Romano’s Time with the Blue Jays
GettyANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 03: Jordan Romano #68 of the Los Angeles Angels reacts after the third out against the Seattle Mariners in the ninth inning of the home opener against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 03, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Before a disappointing 2024 season with the Blue Jays, Jordan Romano was a good closer for the Toronto Blue Jays.
He broke into MLB in 2019 and really started to get several opportunities in high-leverage spots in 2021. He had an extremely strong stretch from 2021 to 2023, where he was arguably the best reliever in the sport.
In 2021, he pitched 63 innings with a 2.14 ERA, 23 saves, and 85 strikeouts. He followed that up with another stellar 2022 campaign (2.11 ERA, 64 innings, 36 saves, 73 strikeouts)
In 2023, Romano held a 2.90 ERA with 36 saves and 72 strikeouts.
Overall, with the Blue Jays, he made 231 appearances out of the bullpen and boasted a 2.90 ERA over 229.2 innings pitched and 105 saves.
It’s unclear what the next chapter of his MLB career will hold, but maybe the Blue Jays will think about a reunion deal with Romano?
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