UPDATE: The Philadelphia Phillies have just announced major changes to their bullpen, placing struggling reliever Jordan Romano on the 15-day injured list due to finger inflammation and releasing right-hander Joe Ross. This comes on the heels of a dismal performance against the New York Mets, where the Phillies suffered a crushing 13-3 defeat at Citi Field.
The urgency of these moves cannot be understated as the Phillies aim to maintain their lead in the NL East, currently at six games over the Mets. Romano’s struggles have been evident, with an alarming 8.23 ERA over 49 appearances this season. He surrendered a three-run homer to the Mets’ No. 9 batter, Luis Torrens, during Monday’s game, raising questions about his ability to contribute effectively.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson confirmed that Romano has been battling inflammation in his right middle finger for some time, which may have hindered his performance. “Just inflammation in that right middle finger. I’m sure it affects his grip,” Thomson stated. This revelation sheds light on Romano’s fluctuating velocity this season, as he has recorded just eight saves in 11 chances.
Meanwhile, Joe Ross has also been released after posting a 5.12 ERA in 36 relief outings this season. Thomson emphasized that Ross’s performance was the primary reason for his departure, stating, “Ross is a good man, good teammate. We wanted to get a look at Lou Trivino.”
Trivino, a recent addition to the team, has been recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he excelled with a perfect record and a 0.00 ERA over seven innings. With a fastball clocked at 95-96 mph, Trivino is expected to bolster the bullpen. “He’s not going to be afraid, that’s for sure,” Thomson added, highlighting Trivino’s readiness.
The Phillies have also recalled right-hander Daniel Robert, who has had a rocky season but is now being counted on for multiple innings in the bullpen. Robert previously had a 5.79 ERA in 12 appearances earlier this season but showed improvement before his call-up.
As the Phillies navigate these personnel changes, fans are left wondering how these adjustments will impact the team’s performance as they head into the final stretch of the season. With the pressure mounting, all eyes will be on how the newly formed bullpen responds in upcoming games.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops. The Phillies’ next challenge is crucial for maintaining their playoff hopes amidst the shakeup in their pitching staff.
