Apr 6, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jordan Romano (68) walks off the mound after being removed from the game during the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
NEW YORK - While the Phillies shored up the back end of their bullpen a month ago at the deadline, the front end of it has left a lot to be desired.
So, one day after an implosion by two the two guys who were brought in last offseason to be bullpen replacements for Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estevez - both of who were not re-signed - they are now out of the picture.
Jordan Romano and Joe Ross combined to allow seven runs on five hits, two walks and two hit batters in two innings letting a competitive game tun into a 10-run loss.
Ross was released. Romano was spared the pink slip by going on the I.L. with what the team is calling "right middle finger inflammation," which many fans may also feel from flashing the same finger back at Romano after many of his appearances.
After all, Romano has had one of the worst seasons in Phillies history. His 8.23 ERA is the worst by a pitcher who has thrown at least 40 innings in 93 years.
The Phillies ended up missing badly on both. Romano for $8.5 million. Ross at $4 million.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson kept talking about the wild fluctuation in velocity with Romano - and not understanding why.
Some days he'd throw 97 mph. Other days 93 mph.
Is it possible Romano was hiding the injury and trying to pitch through it?
Rob Thomson discusses Jordan Romano, Joe Ross and the fluctuation in the bullpen.
(Via @AntSanPhilly) pic.twitter.com/LaCaFr3U8b
"I'm not really sure," Thomson said. "But the indicator for me is the fluctuation in velocity and that's been going on for a while," Thomson said. "So, I would think it's been there for a bit."
Romano was not made available to reporters in New York to discuss it on Tuesday. He's expected to address it on Wednesday.
Thomson said releasing Ross was "performance-based." Ross had a 5.12 ERA in 51 innings and never had a role that he fit into comfortably in the Phillies pen.
In their place, the Phillies recalled Daniel Robert and selected the contract of Lou Trivino.
Trivino, 33, is a fun story in that he grew up in Green Lane, near Pennsburg and Quakertown. He also has a lot of Big League experience, having been in the league since 2018. The Phillies are his third team this season. He pitched for the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers, but couldn't stick with either. He was better with the Dodgers than the Giants, and said he realized a lot of what the Dodgers were working on with him was beneficial.
He signed a minor league deal with the Phillies on Aug. 4. Since then he has been pitching for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He's made seven appearances there and has not allowed a run.
"I felt like there was an opportunity (here) and I'm home," Trivino said of his decision to sign with the Phillies as opposed to another team. "I've been been a Phillies fan my whole life ... it's nice to be home."
New Phillie Lou Trivino — who grew up rooting for the Phillies — told a great Chase Utley story to @AntSanPhilly 😂 pic.twitter.com/W4qgx1rHLt
The Phillies will carry 13 pitchers in the playoffs. Aside from all five starters, Jhoan Duran, Orion Kerkering, Matt Strahm, David Robertson and Tanner Banks are locks. The other three spots are up for grabs.
Could it be Trivino, Robert, Max Lazar, Seth Johnson, or someone else?
Would the Phillies actually consider bringing Romano back into play after his I.L. stint?
There might be an actual mutiny at Citizens Bank Park if that happens, but he's still employed by the team, so anything is possible.
For now, it's Trivino and Robert's turn to try and secure one of those spots.
