The Philadelphia Phillies faced a significant challenge when left-handed reliever Jose Alvarado received an 80-game suspension for PED use, raising immediate concerns about who would assume the team’s closer responsibilities. Former Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. weighed in on the situation, emphasizing his confidence in Jordan Romano‘s readiness to step into the closer role.
Amaro noted Romano’s ability to recover from a difficult start this season.
“I do like the way Romano has bounced back,”
Amaro stated.
“He had a terrible start to the season. But I judge players on how they respond. The man has responded really well, he bounced back.”
The Phillies signed Jordan Romano this offseason for $8.5 million to fill the gap left by Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Esteves. Romano’s early performance was marred by a 12.19 ERA over 10.1 innings, including a rough appearance against the Miami Marlins when he surrendered six runs after the Phillies held an 11-4 lead. His struggles were starkly contrasted by the impressive performance of Hoffman, who excelled with the Toronto Blue Jays.
However, Romano’s recent form shows marked improvement. During May, he posted a 2.79 ERA across 9.2 innings, reducing his overall ERA to 7.65. All three runs allowed in that period came in a single outing against the Athletics. He struck out 15 batters and issued just two walks, signaling better control and effectiveness.
Despite needing to improve his season statistics further, Romano’s recent success offers hope for Philadelphia. “Right now, he’s their closer,” Amaro said.
“He’s the guy who’s going to have to lock it down in the ninth.”
Amaro also highlighted the scarcity of reliable closers in the league, underscoring that
“Closers don’t fall out of trees.”
Although the Phillies continue searching for bullpen reinforcements, Romano’s resurgence has been a positive development amid uncertainty.
Phillies’ Front Office Adopts Cautious Stance on Bullpen Situation
General manager Dave Dombrowski has taken a cautious approach regarding the current bullpen lineup, opting to assess the situation before making significant changes. His measured stance reflects the challenges the team faces as they navigate the suspension of Jose Alvarado and the inconsistent performances from other relief pitchers.
Dombrowski Reflects on Past Decisions Affecting Team Depth
Dombrowski has openly expressed regret concerning former pitcher Aaron Nola’s departure, recognizing how past moves have impacted the Phillies’ pitching depth. These admissions reinforce the urgency to stabilize the bullpen, especially in light of recent setbacks and the need for a reliable closer.
Philadelphia’s bullpen remains a work in progress, with Romano’s turnaround serving as a key factor in maintaining competitiveness. How the Phillies address this vulnerability in the coming weeks could shape their season’s trajectory, making the team’s upcoming decisions critical.