| Jordan Romano | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Romano with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2020 | |
| Los Angeles Angels – No. 68 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: April 21, 1993 Markham, Ontario, Canada | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 12, 2019, for the Toronto Blue Jays | |
| MLB statistics (through 2025 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 22–21 |
| Earned run average | 3.73 |
| Strikeouts | 332 |
| Saves | 113 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Jordan Robert Romano (born April 21, 1993) is a Canadian professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies. Romano is a two-time All-Star.
High school and college
Romano attended Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy in his home town of Markham, Ontario.[1] A standout athlete, he excelled in baseball, basketball, soccer, and volleyball.[2] Undrafted out of high school, he attended Connors State College. In his first season for Connors State, Romano pitched to a 0–1 win–loss record, 8.68 earned run average (ERA), and 14 strikeouts in 91⁄3 innings.[3] The following season, Romano made 10 starts and posted a 4–3 record with a 4.74 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 38 innings pitched, helping get the Cowboys to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) World Series.[2] After the season, Romano transferred to Oral Roberts University, where he played one season for the Golden Eagles. Pitching as the team's closer, Romano made 29 relief appearances and posted a 3–4 record, 11 saves, 2.66 ERA, and 49 strikeouts in 402⁄3 innings.[4]
Professional career
Toronto Blue Jays
Minor leagues
Romano was selected in the tenth round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft by the Toronto Blue Jays.[1][5] He received a $25,000 signing bonus and was assigned to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Blue Jays. After making two appearances, he was promoted to the Bluefield Blue Jays of the Rookie-Advanced Appalachian League, where he finished the 2014 season. In 13 total appearances, Romano posted a 1–1 record, 1.93 ERA, and 34 strikeouts in 28 innings pitched.[1] During spring training for the 2015 season, Romano tore his ulnar collateral ligament, and in April he underwent Tommy John surgery. Due to the procedure, he missed the entire 2015 minor league season. Romano was assigned to the Lansing Lugnuts of the Single-A Midwest League at the start of the 2016 season, and was activated off the disabled list on June 13, 2016, to make the first start of his professional career. In the start, he held the Great Lakes Loons to two hits while striking out seven in a 4–1 complete game win.[6][7] Romano finished the 2016 season with a 3–2 record, 2.11 ERA, and 72 strikeouts in 722⁄3 innings pitched.[1] He spent the entire 2017 minor league season with the Dunedin Blue Jays of the Advanced-A Florida State League, and pitched to a 7–5 record, 3.39 ERA, and 138 strikeouts in 138 innings.[1]
In 2018, the Blue Jays invited Romano to spring training.[8] He began the season with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats of the Double-A Eastern League.[9] On May 16, Romano pitched six no-hit innings against the Hartford Yard Goats, and became the first pitcher in the minors to reach seven wins.[10] After reaching an 8–0 record with a 2.04 ERA, Romano was promoted to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons on May 27.[11]
On December 13, 2018, Romano was taken third overall in the Rule 5 draft by the Chicago White Sox and was immediately traded to the Texas Rangers for cash considerations.[12] On March 24, 2019, he was returned to the Blue Jays.[13]
Major leagues
Romano opened the 2019 season back with Buffalo. On June 12, his contract was selected and he was called up to the major leagues for the first time.[14] He made his major league debut that night, pitching a scoreless 7th inning in an 8–6 victory over the Baltimore Orioles and collecting his first major league strikeout against Pedro Severino.[15]
On July 24, 2020, Romano earned his first MLB win.[16] On August 21, he earned his first MLB save.[17] With the 2020 Toronto Blue Jays, Romano appeared in 15 games, compiling a 2-1 record with 1.23 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 14+2⁄3 innings pitched.[18] In 2021, Romano became the Blue Jays closer and went 7–1 with a 2.14 ERA in 63 innings, compiling 23 saves.[19]
On April 11, 2022, Romano set a Blue Jays club record with his 26th consecutive converted save stretching back to the 2021 season, in helping the team to a 3–0 victory over the New York Yankees.[20][21] On July 17, 2022, it was announced that Romano was selected to the American League All-Star team, his first ever selection.
In 2022, Romano finished third in the American League with 36 saves, striking out 73 batters in 64 innings with a 2.11 ERA. He was charged with the blown save and loss in the Blue Jays Wild Card Game 2 defeat giving up two runs.[22]
On January 13, 2023, Romano signed a one-year, $4.5375 million contract with the Blue Jays, avoiding salary arbitration.[23] He was named to his second-consecutive All-Star team on July 9. To that point in the season, he had recorded 25 saves with a 2.96 ERA[24]
In 2024, Romano made 15 appearances for Toronto, struggling to a 6.59 ERA with 13 strikeouts and 8 saves over 13+2⁄3 innings pitched. On July 3, 2024, he was shut down for six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair an impingement in his throwing elbow.[25] On September 7, manager John Schneider announced that Romano would be shut down for the remainder of the season.[26] On November 22, the Blue Jays non–tendered Romano, making him a free agent.[27]
Philadelphia Phillies
On December 9, 2024, Romano signed a one-year, $8.5 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.[28] Romano made 49 relief appearances for the Phillies during the 2025 season, but struggled to a 2-4 record and 8.23 ERA with 47 strikeouts and eight saves across 42+2⁄3 innings pitched.[29]
Los Angeles Angels
On December 16, 2025, Romano signed a one year, $2 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels.[30]
International baseball
In February 2017, it was announced that Romano would play for Team Italy at the 2017 World Baseball Classic.[4][31]
At an undisclosed time, Romano agreed to play for Team Canada for the first time at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. However, he informed the team that he would not be available, after signing a one year contract with the Los Angeles Angels.[32]
Personal Life
Romano and his wife, Sam, announced the birth of their son in December 2025.[33] He is of Italian descent.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e "Jordan Romano Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
- ^ a b "Jordan Romano Bio". Nmnathletics.com. Archived from the original on September 11, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
- ^ "2011-12 - NCJAA Stats - Jordan Romano". Ncjaa.org. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
- ^ a b "Romano Named to Team Italy Roster for World Baseball Classic". Oruathletics.com. February 10, 2017. Archived from the original on March 7, 2017. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
- ^ Hayakawa, Michael (June 9, 2014). "Markham's Jordan Romano drafted in 10th round by Toronto Blue Jays in Major League Baseball draft". Yorkregion.com. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
- ^ Avallone, Michael (June 14, 2016). "Jays' Romano dazzles in return to mound". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
- ^ "Great Lakes vs. Lansing - June 13, 2016". Minor League Baseball. June 13, 2016. Archived from the original on June 19, 2016. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
- ^ "Blue Jays announce non-roster invitees to major league camp". Sportsnet. January 24, 2018. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
- ^ Gilberto, Gerard (April 11, 2018). "Fisher Cats' Romano posts seven zeros". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
- ^ Maun, Tyler (May 16, 2018). "Romano deals, Guerrero rakes to lead Fisher Cats". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
- ^ Hoad, Michael (May 27, 2018). "Blue Jays pitching prospect Romano promoted to triple-A". Sportsnet. Retrieved May 27, 2018.
- ^ "Rangers' Jordan Romano: Sent to Texas". cbssports.com. December 13, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
- ^ "Rule 5 pitcher Jordan Romano returning to Blue Jays". Sportsnet. March 24, 2019. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
- ^ Nick Ashbourne (June 12, 2019). "Blue Jays closer Ken Giles headed to IL with right elbow inflammation". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
- ^ "Canadian Romano makes MLB debut for Jays". TSN. The Canadian Press. June 12, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- ^ "Blue Jays' Jordan Romano: Earns win in relief". July 25, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
- ^ Keegan Matheson (August 21, 2020). "Playoff feel for Blue Jays as win streak hits 6". MLB.com. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
- ^ "Jordan Romano Stats, Fantasy & News". Mlb.vom.
- ^ "Jordan Romano Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
- ^ "Canadian Jordan Romano sets Blue Jays record with 26th-straight save". April 11, 2022.
- ^ "Closer Jordan Romano Sets Blue Jays Save Streak Record". April 11, 2022.
- ^ "Jordan Romano Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
- ^ "2023 MLB Arbitration Tracker". MLBTradeRumors. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- ^ "Blue Jays' Romano named to AL All-Star team as replacement for Astros' Valdez". Sportsnet. July 9, 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
- ^ McDonald, Darragh (July 3, 2024). "Jordan Romano Shut Down For Six Weeks Following Arthroscopic Elbow Surgery". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
- ^ Polishuk, Mark (September 7, 2024). "Blue Jays Shut Down Jordan Romano For Remainder Of 2024 Season". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 24, 2025.
- ^ Matheson, Keegan (November 23, 2024). "Jordan Romano non-tendered by Blue Jays". MLB.com. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
- ^ Zolecki, Todd (December 9, 2024). "Jordan Romano, Phillies agree on 1-year contract". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
- ^ "Jordan Romano 2025 pitching Stats Per Game". espn.com. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
- ^ Franco, Anthony (December 16, 2025). "Angels Sign Jordan Romano". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
- ^ "Ecco l'Italia per il World Baseball Classic 2017". FIBS - Federazione Italiana Baseball e Softball (in Italian). February 9, 2017. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
- ^ Wilner, Mike (January 10, 2026). "Freddie Freeman, Jordan Romano out for Canada at World Baseball Classic". Toronto Star. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
- ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
External links
- Career statistics from MLB · ESPN · Baseball Reference · Fangraphs · Baseball Reference (Minors) · Retrosheet · Baseball Almanac
- 1993 births
- Living people
- American League All-Stars
- Baseball people from Ontario
- Bluefield Blue Jays players
- Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players
- Canadian expatriate baseball players in the United States
- Canadian sportspeople of Italian descent
- Connors State Cowboys baseball players
- Dunedin Blue Jays players
- Gulf Coast Blue Jays players
- National baseball team players
- Lansing Lugnuts players
- Major League Baseball pitchers
- Major League Baseball players from Canada
- 21st-century Canadian sportsmen
- New Hampshire Fisher Cats players
- Oral Roberts Golden Eagles baseball players
- Philadelphia Phillies players
- Sportspeople from Markham, Ontario
- Toronto Blue Jays players
- 2017 World Baseball Classic players
