The Los Angeles Angels have designated former All-Star closer Jordan Romano for assignment. The team now has one week to either trade or release the veteran reliever.
This season in Orange County, Romano pitched to an earned run average north of ten and a whip above two. Romano’s former dominance in the ninth inning is all but completely designated to the rearview mirror.
The Jordan Romano Experiment in Anaheim has Come to a Close
Early in 2026, it looked like Romano had figured it out. Aided by a robbed homerun in Jo Addel’s legendary defensive game, at one point in time, Romano looked unhittable. Through his first five innings, his WHIP was well below one, and he hadn’t allowed an earned run. After a trip to the Bronx, where the Yankees abused his pitch-mix, Romano unraveled.
Before joining the Angels on a one-year $2 million deal, Romano was trying to right the ship in Philadelphia. That experiment didn’t go much better. Romano was just about the worst pitcher in baseball, sporting an 8.23 ERA in 42 2/3 innings. All of these enemic numbers amounted to -1.7 WAR via Baseball Reference.
Somehow, this year, it’s gotten even worse. His ERA+ (signifying where his production ranks in relation to the league average of 100) dropped from 54 in 2025 to 45 in 2026.
This move adds to a lengthy list of failed Angels projects. Although the contract wasn’t nearly dense enough to dent the org’s funds, it was surely not what they expected.
Romano maintained his strikeout stuff, which has always been his calling card. Even in a season where his production got him DFA’d, he held a K/9 of 13.5. His relationship with strike three was why many teams kept dishing out chances. Romano was no doubt a reliable arm during his tenure north of the border.
Jordan Romano was a Bonified Stud
In his prime, Romano was a revered backend arm for the Blue Jays. An All-Star in 2022/2023, he provided pivotal innings in the early stages of what Toronto now hopes will be perennial competitiveness.
In retrospect, Romano’s career was likely derailed by injuries. After a 2024 season where he appeared in 13.2 innings, he never looked quite the same.
Over the past few seasons, Romano has morphed into a cellar-dweller in the grand scheme of major league relievers. His performance in the past two seasons is why LA was so quick to sever ties.
The Angels have taken Major Hits to their Pitching Staff
The Angels have already had major hits to their pitching staff. Offseason acquisitions Grayson Rodriguez and Kirby Yates have yet to debut for the Halos. Robert Stephenson, who was projected to be the team’s closer, is also out for the year. On top of their injury concerns, LA has now cut ties with a veteran arm they counted on in the latter innings.
Romano’s last gasp for big league opportunities rides and dies with his strikeout stuff. If he lands anywhere, it’ll likely be on a minor league deal as organizational depth. Current scuffling bullpens like the Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals could be landing spots for the seasoned veteran.
Angels DFA Former All-Star Reliever