The Toronto Blue Jays brass is holding its collective breath on Tuesday night after seeing closer Jordan Romano leave the All-Star Game with injury.
Romano came on to pitch the top of the seventh inning for the American League when he surrendered a home run to Lourdes Gurriel Jr. of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The ball was reviewed and eventually called foul and Romano was removed.
While speaking with the FOX broadcast team afterwards, American League manager Dusty Baker said that Romano said he felt a little something in his lower back on his last warmup pitch. He said that it was his duty to take care of players, especially those on other teams.
As the Blue Jays seek another playoff appearance this season, Romano is an immensely important part of that chase. He's 4-4 this year with a 2.87 ERA. He's connected on a league-best 26 saves thus far.
It was the second straight All-Star appearance for Romano, who ended up saving 36 games for the Jays in 2022.
Toronto is currently 50-41 and in third place in the American League East. They are 7.0 games behind the first-place Tampa Bay Rays but are tied for the 2nd/3rd wild card spot with the Houston Astros.
The Blue Jays entered the All-Star break having won six of their last 10 games. They'll start the second half of the season on Friday, July 14 when they take on the Arizona Diamondbacks.
That series will be played in Toronto. Arizona is the co-leader of the National League West.
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