Blue Jays closer to receive evaluation after continued elbow discomfort

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jordan Romano.

Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano is set to visit Dr. Keith Meister on July 2, manager John Schneider told reporters (including the Athletic’s Kaitlyn McGrath and Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi).  Romano has been on the injured list due to right elbow inflammation for almost a month, and his throwing work has now been halted for a second time due to continued soreness.  Some soreness last week led to a pause for a few days, but Romano has been shut down from throwing entirely after a throwing session on Friday.

While Schneider noted that no structural damage has been found in other examinations of Romano’s elbow, it is naturally a little ominous to hear that any pitcher is visiting Dr. Meister. Just earlier this month, Meister performed a UCL surgery on another prominent Blue Jays pitcher, Alek Manoah, and a similar procedure represents the worst-case scenario for Romano if his recurring elbow problem is due to more than just inflammation.  Romano would miss at least the next year of action recovering from an internal brace procedure (one of Meister’s specialties), or the standard Tommy John surgery would likely keep him out of action until Opening Day 2026.

Today’s news is the latest twist in what is increasingly looking like a lost season for Romano, who has a 6.59 ERA over 13 2/3 innings and 15 appearances. These underwhelming numbers came in between his current IL stint and another season-opening IL stint due to elbow inflammation, as Romano didn’t pitch in his first game until April 16.

Romano has been Toronto’s closer for the last three seasons, posting a sterling 2.37 ERA over 186 innings while recording 95 saves in 106 chances.  While Romano could be homer-prone, and his 9.2% walk rate was nothing special, his 30.3% strikeout rate was powered by a strong one-two punch of a fastball/slider combination, helping him receive All-Star nods in both 2022 and 2023.

More will be known after Romano’s consultation on Tuesday, but an extended absence could potentially end his tenure with the Jays.  Romano is under arbitration control through the 2025 season, though if his 2025 campaign is now in jeopardy altogether, the Blue Jays could consider not even tendering him a contract this winter.  Perhaps the Jays might more likely explore a two-year extension with Romano, locking him up for 2025 and what would hopefully be a fully healthy 2026 season.

Even if the elbow problem proves to be relatively minor, it almost surely means that Romano will still be a Blue Jays beyond the July 30 deadline, as it doesn’t seem likely he’ll be back on a big league mound in a month’s time. A healthy Romano might have been a prime deadline trade chip for a Jays team that is looking to be falling out of contention, though obviously, having a healthy and effective Romano in 2024 could’ve greatly altered Toronto’s fortunes.  With Romano, Yimi Garcia, Erik Swanson, and Tim Mayza all waylaid by injuries and/or ineffectiveness, the Jays’ relief corps has a 4.78 ERA, ranking third-worst in baseball.

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