Jordan Romano is back in the majors, and the Rockies are giving the former Blue Jays closer a fresh shot in one of the toughest places to pitch.
Colorado selected Romano’s contract this past weekend and brought up the 33-year-old right-hander when Tomoyuki Sugano went on the injured list with back spasms. Romano had been working his way through the Rockies’ minor league system after signing a minor league deal in early May, and he did enough to force the issue.
In 10 relief appearances with Colorado’s affiliates, Romano went 1-1 with a 3.72 ERA and a 0.62 WHIP. He also allowed just one walk and struck out 10 in 9.2 innings. The numbers could have looked even better if not for the three home runs he surrendered.
His first taste of the big leagues with Colorado came quickly, and it came with a little bit of leverage. Romano has already appeared in back-to-back games for the Rockies, and on Sunday he worked as the closer, at least for that day, against the San Francisco Giants. He got the save after throwing scoreless ball on two hits with four strikeouts.
For Romano, this is another chance to get his career back on track after a rough stretch away from Toronto. His run with the Blue Jays was the high point: over six seasons in Toronto, he posted a 2.90 ERA and racked up 105 saves.
Since leaving the Blue Jays, though, the results have been ugly. Last year with the Phillies, Romano posted an 8.23 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP, allowing 39 earned runs in 42.2 innings across 49 appearances.
His stint with the Angels earlier this season was even shorter and just as rough, with a 10.13 ERA and a 2.13 WHIP in eight innings. He gave up nine runs, walked six and struck out 12 before Los Angeles designated him for assignment by the end of April.
Now he gets a crack with a Rockies team sitting at 37-55 through Jul. 6, in an environment that can punish pitchers who already live with home run risk. Coors Field is no easy landing spot, especially for a reliever trying to rebuild his value. But Romano has at least started well, and for the moment, the comeback bid is alive.
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