Jordan Romano Heads West: Canadian Closer Signs with Angels After Tumultuous 2025 Season
Jordan Romano is getting a fresh start in Southern California.
The 32-year-old right-hander from Markham, Ontario, has signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels, giving him a chance to reset after a rocky 2025 campaign with the Philadelphia Phillies. The move reunites Romano with the AL West, where he’ll look to bounce back from one of the toughest stretches of his career.
Romano’s 2025 season never really got off the ground. After inking an $8.5 million deal with the Phillies last winter, expectations were high that he could anchor the back end of their bullpen.
But the results didn’t follow. In 49 appearances, Romano posted an uncharacteristic 8.23 ERA and managed just eight saves before a finger injury shut him down in late August.
It was a disappointing follow-up to a strong run in Toronto, where Romano had established himself as one of the game’s more reliable closers. From 2021 to 2023, his ERA never climbed above 2.90, and he racked up 105 saves over six seasons with the Blue Jays. He was a two-time All-Star during that stretch and earned the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s Tip O’Neill Award in 2022 after a 36-save campaign.
Romano’s time in Philadelphia came after the Blue Jays non-tendered him following elbow surgery in July 2024. That procedure cut short his final season in Toronto, but the Phillies saw enough to take a chance on his upside. Unfortunately, the combination of injury recovery and a tough transition to the NL East proved too much to overcome.
Now with the Angels, Romano has a chance to reclaim his form. The club just lost veteran closer Kenley Jansen to Detroit, leaving the ninth inning wide open heading into spring training. If Romano can recapture even a portion of his Blue Jays dominance, he could be a strong candidate to seize that role.
For a pitcher who once dominated late innings in one of baseball’s toughest divisions, this could be the perfect opportunity to turn the page.
Rays DFA Canadian Outfielder Tristan Peters After Roster Shuffle
In Tampa Bay, Canadian outfielder Tristan Peters is facing some roster uncertainty after the Rays designated him for assignment on Tuesday. The move clears space for newly signed left-hander Steven Matz, who joins the club on a two-year, $15 million deal.
Peters, a native of Winkler, Manitoba, had been turning heads in the minors all season. A defensive standout for the Rays’ Triple-A affiliate in Durham, Peters routinely made highlight-reel plays in the outfield and brought a solid bat to the lineup.
He hit .266 with a .355 on-base percentage, adding 15 home runs, 76 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases. That all-around production earned him team MVP honors for the Bulls in 2025.
He also made his MLB debut this past August, appearing in four games with the Rays. While it was a brief stint, it marked a significant milestone in a journey that’s taken him through multiple organizations and levels of pro ball.
Originally drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the seventh round in 2021, Peters spent time in both the Brewers and Giants systems before landing with Tampa Bay three years ago. His development has been steady, and his 2025 performance showed he’s more than just a glove-first outfielder.
Before turning pro, Peters built his foundation in Manitoba and later at the Okotoks Dawgs Academy. In 2019, he tore up the Western Canadian Baseball League, hitting .397 with 12 homers and 13 steals in 52 games-a breakout season that helped launch his pro career.
Now, Peters waits to see what’s next. He could be claimed off waivers, outrighted back to Triple-A, or potentially released. But based on his 2025 showing, there’s reason to believe another opportunity is coming-whether it’s in Tampa Bay or elsewhere.
For both Romano and Peters, the offseason brings change-but also a shot at redemption. And for Canadian baseball fans, it’s another reminder that talent from the north continues to make its mark across the majors.