Phillies add Jordan Romano to late-inning bullpen mix with 1-year deal

DALLAS — In a quest to fortify their bullpen, the Phillies have turned to Jordan Romano — an intriguing right-hander with upside who comes with some risk.

The Phillies agreed to terms Monday with Romano on a one-year deal, major-league sources told The Athletic. Romano, who turns 32 in April, is expected to fill a late-inning role for the Phillies as he attempts to re-establish his value as one of the better relievers in the sport. The deal is pending a physical.

Both sides are making a bet that Romano can prove he’s healthy — and as effective as he was during a recent three-year span.

Romano became a free agent last month when his former team, the Toronto Blue Jays, declined to offer him a contract through salary arbitration. He had risen in the Blue Jays organization from an afterthought 10th-round pick to a lockdown closer who pitched to a 2.37 ERA with 95 saves from 2021-23.

But Romano encountered elbow trouble in 2024. He did not appear in a game after May 29. He had a 6.59 ERA in 13 2/3 innings on the season. He twice went on the injured list with elbow inflammation, then underwent arthroscopic surgery on July 3 for an elbow impingement. Toronto had hoped Romano could return before the 2024 season ended if the club was in contention. That didn’t happen.

The Phillies put Romano through a physical examination Monday and determined he’s healthy and worth the investment. Romano was due a salary near $8 million through the arbitration system; Toronto had deemed that too pricey.

Romano, when right, leans on a biting slider and has a fastball that averages 97 mph. He averaged 62 innings per season during that strong three-year stretch. The native Canadian was a popular figure in Toronto among fans and his teammates.

Romano joins a late-inning Phillies bullpen mix that includes righty Orion Kerkering and lefties Matt Strahm and José Alvarado. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski had prioritized a bullpen addition while saying he might acquire only one reliever to replace free agents Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez if they depart.

That calculus could change given the smaller terms of the Romano contract. The Phillies have remained interested in a reunion with Hoffman; it’s unclear whether they can find a match. The Phillies continue to seek an outfielder and have engaged various clubs in trade talks that could shake up the roster.

It’s not the largest guaranteed contract in professional sports history. But for the Phillies, the Romano deal is a start to an offseason with more transactions to come.

(Photo of Jordan Romano: Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images)