Toronto Blue Jays poised to make interim closer swap

The Toronto Blue Jays appear poised to anoint Canadian fireballer Jordan Romano as their interim closer while Ken Giles remains shelved on the injured reserve.

The Blue Jays have utilized reliever Anthony Bass in the closer’s role since Ken Giles was sidelined with a forearm injury in late July. Bass has been nearly perfect in eight appearances this season with the exception of surrendering a ninth-inning game-tying 3-run homer to Francisco Cervelli.

However, during last night’s 12-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, it was Bass who got the call in the eighth inning with the Blue Jays up 8-4. While Bass was pitching in the contest, both Jordan Romano and A.J. Cole could be seen warming up.

It was evident that Romano was going to get the call to close out the ninth had the Rays scored to make it a save opportunity. Bass held the Rays off the scoresheet and Cole came into close out the game in a non-save situation after the offence tacked on four additional runs.

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Bass may have been the freshest arm out of the two and was the reason for the move although it appeared Romano was warming with some purpose in preparation to enter the game. The Canadian definitely possesses closer stuff with a mid-to-high nineties fastball that gets on you in a hurry. I guess we will wait and see but I have a sneaking suspicion that Romano is going to be handed the next opportunity.

Romano has been lights out thus far this season fanning 13 batters in nine innings of work without allowing a run. The 27-year old appears to have reinvented himself following his major league debut last season where he posted a 7.63 earned run average in 17 relief appearances.

There is no definitive timetable on a return for Giles, however, according to skipper Charlie Montoyo, the closer played catch yesterday and his MRI came back clean. One has to assume that Giles will once again become the topic of conversation in trade talks if the closer can return to action before the trade deadline.

The impressive arrival of Romano could definitely push Giles out the door before he hits free agency this offseason. Time will tell.