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Phillies Pitcher on Thin Ice Amid Mounting Concerns

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matthew Davis | Last updated Apr 20, 2025 8:00 AM ET

The Philadelphia Phillies look like an all-in team, sitting one game behind the first-place New York Mets.

That means the Phillies have a small margin for error to upset the Mets and win the NL East, and an underperforming player could take a hit along the way. USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported that "the Phillies have become concerned with" closing pitcher Jordan Romano, who only has a save and seven strikeouts this season.

Nightengale noted how Romano "averaged 96.8-mph on his fastball two years ago" when he played for the Toronto Blue Jays. Romano had 36 saves that year amid a 2.90 ERA and 72 strikeouts.

His performance declined in 2024, resulting in eight saves, 13 strikeouts, and a 6.59 ERA. According to Nightengale, things have only gotten worse this season, as Romano's fastball "is down to about 92-94 mph and struggling holding on runners."

"This helps explain why the Blue Jays non-tendered him last winter before the Phillies signed him to a one-year, $8.5 million contract," Nightengale wrote.

Philadelphia has until July 31 to trade for another closer if that's the route the team decides to go. The Phillies also might be able to get by with Romano as just one of the closers.

Jose Alvarado has been a solid closer this season for the Phillies, with four saves, 14 strikeouts, and a 2.89 ERA. Alvarado is on pace for a third-straight season of 10 or more saves.

Reliever Matt Strahm has a save thus far amid 13 strikeouts and a 1.08 ERA. Strahm had nine saves during the past three years going into this season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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