Ex-Blue Jays closer returns to MLB with Rockies in true bottom-of-the-barrel opportunity

Former Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano has managed to show that he's not done just year. After landing with the Colorado Rockies on a minor league deal in early May, Romano finally received his opportunity to return to the big leagues this past weekend. The Rockies selected the contract of the 33-year-old veteran right-hander and promoted him to the majors as Tomoyuki Sugano landed on the injured list due to back spasms.

Since joining Colorado, Romano has done everything he could to earn his chance in the Rockies’ minor league system, compiling a 1-1 record with a 3.72 ERA, 0.62 WHIP, along with just one walk and 10 strikeouts in 9.2 total innings of work over 10 relief appearances. The bulk of the damage came off of three home runs given up. Otherwise, the numbers would even be more impressive. In doing so, Romano got the call with the opportunity for redemption once again.

But that redemption journey may not last long in an environment that isn't overly complementary to pitchers. Pitching at high altitude at Coors Field for pitchers that already tend to give up a lot of home runs is usually a recipie for disaster. Not to mention that the Rockies have been one of the worst teams in the league at 37-55 (through Jul. 6).

Former Blue Jays star closer Jordan Romano looks to revitalize his career in Colorado

So far, the 33-year-old reliever has looked solid, appearing in back-to-back games with the Rockies. Romano held the opposition scoreless on two hits with four strikeouts and recorded the save against the San Francisco Giants on Sunday as Colorado’s closer, at least for that day.

Things hadn’t been going well for Romano since leaving the Blue Jays organization. After being one of the game’s best closers during his tenure in Toronto, the right-hander has struggled mightily to maintain an effective big league gig ever since. Both of his stopovers with the Philadelphia Phillies last year and the Los Angeles Angels earlier this season had been complete nightmares for the former Blue Jays All-Star.

With the Phillies, Romano sported a dismal 8.23 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, giving up 39 earned runs in 42.2 innings pitched in 49 appearances in 2025. As for the Angels, his tenure was a lot shorter, compiling an abysmal 10.13 ERA, 2.13 WHIP, yielding nine runs, six walks and 12 strikeouts in just eight innings of work. As a result, Romano couldn’t even make it through the second month with Los Angeles as he was designated for assignment by the end of April.

Now with the surprise promotion by the Rockies, he will look to recapture some of his dominant form from when he was with the Blue Jays where he posted a 2.90 ERA while registering 105 saves over his six seasons with Toronto. Based on the short sample size following his debut with Colorado, let’s just say Romano is off to a good start in making the improbable happen.

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