Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano (elbow) threw a successful side session in Florida on Tuesday, an important step towards his return to the big-league bullpen. It was the first time that Romano threw off a mound since being diagnosed with right-elbow inflammation during spring training. Both he and Erik Swanson (forearm) opened the regular season on the injured list, leaving the back end of Toronto's bullpen thin. While he has yet to record a save, Yimi Garcia is the favorite for save opportunities for the Jays until either Romano or Swanson are activated. Romano is going to likely need a couple more side sessions before he starts facing live hitters, but he should be able to make his 2024 debut before the end of April, barring a setback. As one of the best closers in baseball in recent seasons, Romano should be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues.

Toronto Blue Jays reliever Jordan Romano (elbow) is slated to get back off a mound on Tuesday as he continues to recover from an elbow issue. While the ailment isn't expected to keep the closer out long, it still cost him an injured list stint to begin the season. The 30-year-old has been one of the top closers in baseball over the last three seasons, recording a 2.90 ERA or better in each of those campaigns while recording 72 saves over the last two seasons, good for second-most in all of baseball behind Cleveland's Emmanuel Clase's 86. The right-hander will immediately be re-inserted as the team's full-time closer when he comes off the injured list, which should be sooner rather than later.

The Toronto Blue Jays don't expect to be without closer Jordan Romano (elbow) for an extended period as he recovers from right-elbow inflammation that sidelined him for the final couple weeks of spring training. Once he's cleared to start throwing off a mound, Romano is expected to make a quick transition back to the majors after opening the year on the injured list, along with fellow reliever Erik Swanson (forearm). More patience will be required for Swanson. In their absences, Chad Green and Yimi Garcia are expected to split the Blue Jays' closing duties until Romano returns. Romano will be eligible to come off the IL on April 9, so fantasy managers need to keep him stashed in all formats and hope for a quick return.

Toronto Blue Jays relievers Jordan Romano (elbow) and Erik Swanson (forearm) will officially open the 2024 season on the injured list, according to manager John Schneider. As a result, Nate Pearson and Wes Parsons will open the year in Toronto's bullpen. Swanson has already resumed playing catch, while the Blue Jays hope Romano can begin throwing off a mound next week. Hopefully, both pitchers will be able to return in the middle of April, but there's no guarantee. Romano should be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues for the time being. With both Romano and Swanson on the shelf, the Blue Jays are expected to roll with a closer-by-committee approach, consisting of arms like Chad Green, Yimi Garcia and Tim Mayza.

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that it's "reasonable to say" that both closer Jordan Romano (elbow) and late-inning reliever Erik Swanson (forearm) will start the season on the injured list. The Blue Jays haven't made any official moves yet, though, because starter Kevin Gausman's (shoulder) status will play into the pitching puzzle. Ideally, Romano and Swanson are on a mound building up their arms next week. This was the way things had been trending for a while, but the good news is that both relievers could be ready to go when they are eligible to come off the IL in April. The injury to the 30-year-old Romano definitely puts a chip in his fantasy value as one of the top closers in baseball. Yimi Garcia should be considered the favorite for save chances early on in Toronto, but Chad Green could also be involved in the ninth inning.

Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano (elbow) is expected to start playing catch in camp on Saturday. Meanwhile, fellow reliever Erik Swanson (forearm) played catch on Friday for the second consecutive day. The Blue Jays plan to wait until the end of spring training early next week before making a final decision on both relievers' availability for the start of the regular season. It remains to be seen if either reliever will open the year on the injured list. The 30-year-old Romano received an anti-inflammatory injection after he was diagnosed with right-elbow inflammation. When healthy, he's a top-15 fantasy closer, but his stock is down right now due to his elbow injury. If both Romano and Swanson are unavailable for closing duties to begin the year, Yimi Garcia is the best bet to pick up save chances for the Blue Jays.

While Toronto Blue Jays reliever Erik Swanson (forearm) played catch in camp on Thursday and felt good, closer Jordan Romano (elbow) is still a day or two away from throwing. The Blue Jays are expected to make decisions on their availability for the beginning of the 2024 regular season by Monday. Opening Day is next Thursday, March 28. If neither Romano nor Swanson are ready to go by the end of next week, Yimi Garcia figures to be first in line to pick up save chances at the back end of Toronto's bullpen to begin the year. Romano, 30, is RotoBaller's No. 15 fantasy closer, but he was recently shut down after being diagnosed with right-elbow inflammation. The good news is that Romano doesn't have structural damage in his arm, but there's added risk in taking him in fantasy drafts this weekend.

Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano is dealing with inflammation in his elbow. The 30-year-old had an MRI done and it showed no structural damage, so at this point it doesn't appear to be serious. The 2x All-Star will receive an anti-inflammatory injection Tuesday and will be shut down for three days, but will then "ramp back up." As the injury is to his throwing arm it should be monitored, but being ready for the start of the regular season still seems to be intact. If it doesn't get better, then veteran Erik Swanson theoretically would be next in line for save opportunities, however, he too has been shut down for a couple of days. Romano is a top-10 closer option so hopefully this is a non-issue by the end of the week.

Toronto Blue Jays reliever Jordan Romano has enjoyed a nice spring to this point as he prepares for the 2024 campaign. The right-hander has worked in five games so far, tossing a 2.08 ERA with six strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings of action. He has walked two hitters while limiting the opposition to a minuscule .133 batting average. The veteran is coming off another stellar season in which he worked to a 2.90 ERA with 36 saves across 59 innings of work. He has posted a sub-3.00 ERA in four straight seasons and has locked down 36 saves in each of his last two campaigns. He remains a high-end closer ahead of the 2024 season and is a candidate to pace the American League in saves in the process.

The Toronto Blue Jays and right-handed reliever Jordan Romano avoided salary arbitration on Thursday by settling at $7.75 million for the 2024 season, according to a source. This was Romano's second time being eligible for arbitration. The 30-year-old closer has had exactly 36 saves for the Blue Jays in each of the last two seasons and will open the 2024 campaign cemented into that role again, giving him plenty of fantasy appeal. The Canadian reliever had some ups and downs along the way in 2023, but he was solid overall and at one point converted a franchise-record 26 saves in a row. A back injury at the All-Star break may have been responsible for him not being as effective down the stretch. Still, Romano's ability to miss bats and set role as a closer for one of the better teams in baseball makes him a high-end fantasy target at his position.

Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano fell to 5-7 and took his second consecutive loss in Tuesday's 2-0 game against the Yankees. Romano came in to pitch the top of the ninth with the game tied 0-0. He gave up a leadoff single and a go-ahead two-run home run before getting the next three hitters out on a groundout and two strikeouts. His last two outings have come at inconvenient times for the Blue Jays, but he has been a strong fantasy contributor all season long, racking up 36 saves with a 2.95 ERA and 11.17 K/9 rate.

Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano picked up his 34th save of the season on Sunday, closing out the Kansas City Royals in a 5-2 victory. Romano made things interesting, loading the bases on two hits and a walk before finishing off the game. He also struck out a pair in his inning of work. The 30-year-old now has a 2.60 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 64 K in 52 IP while converting 34 of his 37 opportunities. Romano hasn't blown a save since May 20, a span that covers his last 24 saves. He should be an elite option down the stretch and is going to be one of the higher-drafted relievers next year.

Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano picked up his 31st save of the season in Tuesday's 6-3 extra-innings win over the Orioles. Romano came in to pitch the bottom of the 10th inning up by three with a free runner on second and delivered a 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts. The 30-year-old has been one of fantasy's top closers this season, converting all but three save opportunities with a 2.60 ERA and an 11.20 K/9 rate. He should continue to serve as a high-end fantasy option for the rest of the season.

Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano (back) had an instant impact in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Phillies, earning the save after being reinstated from the injured list. Romano entered the game to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by one and turned in a 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts. The 30-year-old picked up right where he left off and has now converted 29 of 32 save opportunities with a 2.72 ERA and an 11.09 K/9 rate. He should remain a high-end fantasy option down the stretch as long as he remains healthy.

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jordan Romano (back) has been reinstated from the injured list and will be active for Tuesday night's contest against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies. Hard-throwing right-hander Nate Pearson has been optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move. The Blue Jays' closer last saw action on July 28 and returns with a 2.79 ERA and 29% K% across 44 appearances on the season, locking down 28 saves in the process. While the club acquired former Cardinals closer Jordan Hicks prior to the Aug. 1 MLB trade deadline, Romano will slide back into a full-time closer's role with the Blue Jays, a role that should continue to lead to consistent saves moving forward.

Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano (back) is going on a short minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday, and it sounds as if the Blue Jays are targeting a Tuesday return for Romano. The 30-year-old right-hander isn't going to need much work in the minors before he comes off the injured list to rejoin Toronto's big-league bullpen. He's been sidelined since late July with lower-back inflammation, but Romano is fully expected to resume his regular closing role when he's back. Erik Swanson and Jordan Hicks have both recorded saves in the last week, but their short-term fantasy appeal for saves will be coming to an end soon. Romano has a 2.79 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 28 saves and 51 strikeouts in 42 relief innings in 2023.

Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano (back) tossed 33 pitches in Wednesday's bullpen session and came away feeling "great." While it remains unknown if the 30-year-old requires a rehab assignment, it would likely be a relatively brief one, anyway. Romano is eligible to come off the 15-day injured list as early as Saturday versus the Chicago Cubs, and it appears possible he could be activated ahead of that contest. The All-Star stopper was forced to the IL following his July 28 appearance when lower-back inflammation pulled him from a save chance against the Los Angeles Angels. It seems as though the expiration date on Jordan Hicks' fantasy value as Toronto's favorite for saves is nearing a close, as Romano would assume closing duties upon his return.

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jordan Romano (back) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session on Wednesday. It'll be the second time in three days that Romano has thrown, which is a good sign. The hope is that Romano is cleared to return to the Blue Jays bullpen after Wednesday's session. The right-hander has been out since the end of July due to inflammation in his lower back. In the meantime, Jordan Hicks and Erik Swanson should see a majority of the save chances in Toronto.

Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano (back) is playing catch on flat ground from 75 feet on Wednesday for the first time since he landed on the 15-day injured list last Saturday with lower-back inflammation. If all goes well as he increases his intensity over the coming days, he hopes to be throwing off a mound by this weekend. If the 30-year-old right-handed reliever doesn't have any setbacks, he could be back as Toronto's closer when he's eligible to return from the IL on Aug. 13. He needs to be stashed in all fantasy formats. Yimi Garcia picked up the most recent save for the team last Friday with Romano out, but Jordan Hicks and Erik Swanson could see a closing opportunity in the near future before Romano returns.

Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano (back) was placed on the 15-day injured list. The right-hander, who has a 2.79 ERA with 51 strikeouts and 28 saves this season, left Friday's win over the Los Angeles Angels with lower-back stiffness. Considering he's been bothered by the issue for a while isn't ideal, meaning his stint on the IL might not be short-lived. The team will likely take the committee approach while Romano is out, with Erik Swanson and Yimi Garcia expected to get chances to close out games.