Jordan Romano

Jordan Robert Romano is a Canadian professional baseball pitcher currently in the Colorado Rockies organization. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Angels, and most recently joined the Colorado Rockies in May 2026. Romano is a two-time All-Star selection and holds the Blue Jays franchise record for most consecutive saves converted at 31. His 117 career saves rank fourth among all Canadian-born players in MLB history.

Early Life and Background

Jordan Robert Romano was born on April 21, 1993, in Markham, Ontario, Canada. He attended Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy in his hometown, where he excelled as a multi-sport athlete, competing in baseball, basketball, soccer, and volleyball. Despite his athletic prowess, Romano went undrafted out of high school and chose to continue his baseball career at the collegiate level.

Romano began his college career at Connors State College, where he played for the Cowboys. In his first season, he posted a 0-1 win-loss record with an 8.68 earned run average and 14 strikeouts across 9 and one-third innings. The following season, he made 10 starts and recorded a 4-3 mark with a 4.74 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 38 innings, helping guide the Cowboys to the National Junior College Athletic Association World Series. After his sophomore year, Romano transferred to Oral Roberts University, where he served as the team’s closer. In his lone season with the Golden Eagles, he made 29 relief appearances, compiling a 3-4 record with 11 saves, a 2.66 ERA, and 49 strikeouts in 40 and two-thirds innings.

Professional Career

Minor Leagues and Journey to MLB (2014–2019)

Romano was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the tenth round of the 2014 MLB Draft. He received a $25,000 signing bonus and was assigned to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Blue Jays before being promoted to the Bluefield Blue Jays of the Appalachian League. In 13 total minor league appearances that season, he posted a 1-1 record with a 1.93 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 28 innings pitched.

During spring training for the 2015 season, Romano suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament and underwent Tommy John surgery in April, causing him to miss the entire 2015 campaign. He began 2016 with the Single-A Lansing Lugnuts and made his professional debut on June 13, throwing a complete-game victory while allowing just two hits and striking out seven. Romano finished 2016 with a 3-2 record, 2.11 ERA, and 72 strikeouts across 72 and two-thirds innings. He spent the entire 2017 season with the High-A Dunedin Blue Jays, going 7-5 with a 3.39 ERA and 138 strikeouts in 138 innings.

In 2018, Romano received an invitation to Blue Jays spring training and began the season with the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats. On May 16, he pitched six no-hit innings against the Hartford Yard Goats and became the first minor league pitcher to reach eight wins that season. His outstanding performance, including an 8-0 record with a 2.04 ERA, earned him a promotion to Triple-A Buffalo Bisons on May 27.

On December 13, 2018, Romano was selected third overall in the Rule 5 Draft by the Chicago White Sox and was immediately traded to the Texas Rangers for cash considerations. He was returned to the Blue Jays on March 24, 2019, clearing the path for his eventual MLB debut.

Toronto Blue Jays Breakthrough (2019–2024)

Romano opened the 2019 season with Triple-A Buffalo before his contract was selected on June 12, bringing him to the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut that night, pitching a scoreless seventh inning in an 8-6 victory over the Baltimore Orioles and recording his first major league strikeout against Pedro Severino.

In the abbreviated 2020 season, Romano appeared in 15 games and established himself as a reliable reliever, going 2-1 with a 1.23 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 14 and two-thirds innings. He earned his first MLB win on July 24, 2020, and recorded his first MLB save on August 21. The following season, Romano took over as the Blue Jays closer, going 7-1 with a 2.14 ERA and converting 23 saves in 63 innings of work.

Romano’s breakout season came in 2022. He was named to his first All-Star team on July 17 and finished the year with 36 saves, striking out 73 batters in 64 innings with a 2.11 ERA. His performance placed him third in the American League in saves. On April 11, 2022, he set the Blue Jays franchise record with his 26th consecutive converted save, surpassing the previous mark held by Tom Henke. For his outstanding season, Romano won the Tip O’Neill Award, given annually to Canada’s top baseball player. However, he was charged with the blown save and loss in the Blue Jays’ Wild Card Game 2 defeat that October.

Romano returned as the Blue Jays closer in 2023 and earned his second consecutive All-Star selection on July 9. He continued his strong performance through the first half of the season, recording 25 saves with a 2.96 ERA at the All-Star break. The 2024 season proved challenging as Romano struggled with injuries. He made just 15 appearances, posting a 6.59 ERA with 13 strikeouts and eight saves across 13 and two-thirds innings. On July 3, 2024, he underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair an elbow impingement and was shut down for the remainder of the season. The Blue Jays non-tendered Romano on November 22, making him a free agent.

Philadelphia Phillies (2025)

On December 9, 2024, Romano signed a one-year, $8.5 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. He made 49 relief appearances during the 2025 season but continued to struggle, compiling a 2-4 record with an 8.23 ERA, 47 strikeouts, and eight saves across 42 and two-thirds innings.

Los Angeles Angels (2026)

On December 16, 2025, Romano signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels. He made 11 appearances for Los Angeles, registering an 0-2 record and 10.13 ERA with 12 strikeouts and four saves over eight innings of work. On April 26, 2026, the Angels designated Romano for assignment, and he was released the following day.

Colorado Rockies (2026–Present)

On May 5, 2026, Romano signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies, joining their organization as he worked to rebuild his career following a difficult start to the season.

Career Statistics and Achievements

Through April 25, 2026, Jordan Romano has compiled a career MLB record of 22 wins and 23 losses with a 3.92 earned run average, 344 strikeouts, and 117 saves across his time with the Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, and Los Angeles Angels. His 117 career saves rank fourth among all Canadian-born players in MLB history. Romano is a two-time All-Star selection and the 2022 Tip O’Neill Award winner.

Notable Records and Milestones

Romano set the Toronto Blue Jays franchise record for most consecutive saves converted at 31, surpassing the previous record of 25 held by Tom Henke. His journey to the major leagues included Tommy John surgery in 2015 that forced him to miss an entire season, demonstrating his resilience and determination to reach baseball’s highest level.

Personal Life

Romano and his wife, Sam, announced the birth of their son in December 2025. He is of Italian descent. During his time with the Toronto Blue Jays, Romano frequently played golf with teammates, including Whit Merrifield. His walkout song is Lethal Industry by Sunnery James and Ryan Marciano.

Player Profile

Romano is listed at 6 feet 5 inches and 210 pounds. He utilizes a three-pitch arsenal, consisting of a four-seam fastball that he throws 49 percent of the time, a slider at 46.4 percent usage, and a split finger fastball at 4.7 percent usage. He introduced the split finger pitch in 2026 after previously relying primarily on his fastball and slider combination.