Angels Make Shocking Move With Jordan Romano
Catcher Logan O'Hoppe was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left wrist fracture, with Sebastian Rivero recalled to replace him.
Romano, a two-time All-Star who signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Angels in the offseason, briefly looked like he might have rediscovered his form before falling apart completely.
Injuries to Ben Joyce, Robert Stephenson, and Kirby Yates thrust Romano into the closer role to begin the year.
He started the season strong with four saves and five scoreless frames in his first six outings.
It did not last.
What Went Wrong
Romano had a disastrous series against the New York Yankees that included five earned runs, two blown saves, and only one out recorded.
On Saturday, he entered against the Kansas City Royals in a low-leverage situation with the Angels trailing 8-1 and surrendered four runs, three hits, and a walk in 0.2 innings pitched, inflating his ERA to 10.13.
The Angels DFA Jordan Romano pic.twitter.com/hz6at3ZKr7
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 26, 2026
In his past five appearances, Romano allowed nine earned runs in three innings pitched, taking two blown saves and two losses.
The Angels have seven days to trade, release, or waive Romano.
Given the results and the recent track record, finding a taker at the major league level will be a challenge.
The Decline of a Former Elite Closer
Romano's fall from the top of the closer market has been one of the more sobering stories in baseball over the past two years.
From 2020 through 2023 with the Blue Jays, Romano posted a 2.29 ERA and 3.13 FIP across 200.2 innings with a 30.8 percent strikeout rate, accumulating 97 saves, fifth-most in baseball over that span behind Kenley Jansen, Josh Hader, Enmanuel Clase, and Ryan Pressly.
He was an All-Star in 2022 and 2023 and was widely regarded as one of the better closers in the American League.
Jordan Romano came into an 8-1 game and got absolutely obliterated...so long, partner 👋
— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) April 26, 2026
Injuries derailed his 2024 season and he appeared in just 15 games for Toronto, posting a 6.59 ERA and watching his strikeout rate drop from 29 percent in 2023 to 21 percent.
He had an 8.23 ERA for the Phillies last year across 49 appearances and has never been the same since the elbow injuries that cost him most of 2024.
The Angels took a flier on him at $2 million hoping the low-pressure environment of a rebuilding club might help him find himself again.
It briefly looked like it might work.
It did not.
What Comes Next
Romano maintained his strikeout stuff even through the struggles, posting a 13.5 K/9 rate this season, which is why teams have continued to give him chances.
That strikeout ability is the only thing that might keep a phone ringing somewhere.
If he lands anywhere, it will likely be on a minor league deal as organizational depth, with struggling bullpens like the Nationals or Cardinals mentioned as potential landing spots.
Photo Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
