Phillies' Rob Thomson Has Telling Comment on Jordan Romano with Roster Spot Uncertain
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The Philadelphia Phillies have their deepest, most complete bullpen of the season so far. It's good news for most, but not all.
With the return of José Alvarado following an 80-game performance-enhancing drug suspension, the Phillies suddenly have six legitimate high-leverage options. Then, there's former two-time All-Star closer Jordan Romano, who has been the Phillies' worst and least consistent reliever all season.
Now that Alvarado is back, there's a case to be made that Romano should be designated for assignment for the Phillies to give other pitchers some looks before the playoffs, even though Alvarado won't be eligible to pitch in the postseason.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - AUGUST 13: Jordan Romano #68 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts to giving up a grand slam home run during the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on...
CINCINNATI, OHIO - AUGUST 13: Jordan Romano #68 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts to giving up a grand slam home run during the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on August 13, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by)With a 7.56 ERA and minus-1.2 bWAR on the season, Romano is hurting the Phillies with his presence more than he's helping them. And his manager, Rob Thomson, made a comment on Tuesday that tells you all you need to know about the right-hander's job status.
"Well, I can't tell what he's going to have coming out of the 'pen," Thomson said, per Matt Gelb and Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic. "Not until he gets out on the mound.
"So I just want to make sure that we give him time off because he seems to be stronger when he does have some time off. That's the only thing you can do."
That's not the sign of a pitcher the Phillies think can be a part of the solution. That's a manager acknowledging he has to use all of his players at some point, so he's trying to limit the damage Romano can do as long as he's still on the roster.
Romano knows how ugly the year has been, too.
"I haven't been consistent at all with either my fastball or my slider," Romano said last week, per Gelb and Varnes. "That's like the biggest thing, right? As a reliever, when you go in the game, you want to be consistent. And I haven't been. That's the toughest thing.
There may not be much Romano can do to turn his season around, but with the DFA prospect looming, every outing still means everything.
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