Phillies’ $8 Million Disappointment Cut By New Team After Very Short Stint

Philadelphia Phillies’ Former Closer Released By AL Team After Just 11 Games

As Dombrowski’s roster decisions face new scrutiny after Thomson’s departure, Phillies fans have received an update on another recent disappointment, as the Los Angeles Angels released reliever Jordan Romano shortly after his disappointing stint in Philadelphia.

“Players with at least five years of major league service time have the right to reject outright assignments to the minor leagues, instead electing free agency while retaining their salaries,” MLB Trade Rumors’ Darragh McDonald noted. “The Halos have seemingly skipped that formality and opted to release Romano. They will remain on the hook for the remainder of his $2MM salary for now.”

After five seasons and two All-Star stints with the Toronto Blue Jays, Romano’s sixth and final season with the team was derailed by injury. Following that setback and with a significant need for a true closer in the Phillies’ bullpen, Dombrowski signed Romano to a one-year, $8 million contract in December 2024 that ranks among the executive’s worst decisions in hindsight.

Romano went on to post an 8.23 ERA in just 49 games with the Phillies and he joined the Angels one year after signing his Phillies’ contract.

After just 11 games with his newest team, Romano is now a free agent once again and he could have trouble finding another major-league opportunity.

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“Any interest from other clubs would not be based on recent trends. Romano has had a tough time in the past few years,” McDonald added. “Romano averaged 97.6 miles per hour on his four-seamer back in 2021. That number has ticked down every year since and has been at 94.5 mph so far in 2026. Similarly, his slider is more than 4 mph down from its peak.”

Though the Phillies and Dombrowski have plenty to worry about with their current crop of players, Romano’s release is a reminder of yet another one of the team’s recent signings that resulted in disappointment.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com