The Red Sox have agreed to a minor league contract with right-hander Sal Romano, per the team’s transaction log at MLB.com. He’ll head to Triple-A Worcester.
Romano, 30, hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since the 2021 season but joins the Red Sox with 275 1/3 frames of MLB experience to his credit. He had a nice debut campaign with the Reds back in 2017, making 16 starts and pitching to a respectable 4.45 ERA in 87 innings that year. The 6’5″, 250-pound righty fanned 19% of his opponents against a somewhat elevated 9.4% walk rate and also kept the ball on the ground at a 50.4% clip. It was hardly a dominant debut, but Romano looked the part of a potential back-end starter whose ground-ball tendencies would be beneficial in one of the game’s most homer-friendly stadiums.
His sophomore campaign in 2018, however, didn’t go as hoped. The big righty soaked up 145 2/3 innings in 25 starts and 14 relief appearances but stumbled to a 5.31 earned run average. His walk rate improved to 8.2%, but that was accompanied by a dip in strikeout rate (16.3%), ground-ball rate (45.5%) and sinker velocity (95.7 mph in 2017, 94.3 mph in 2018). Romano moved to the ’pen in 2019 but struggled even more. He only threw 1 1/3 innings during the shortened 2020 season despite not hitting the injured list, and the Reds cut him loose after 14 appearances in ’21. He had brief stints with the Yankees and Brewers that season but didn’t stick in either setting for all that long.
Since that 2021 season, Romano has pitched sparingly. He didn’t pitch at all in 2022 and made just two appearances in the Venezuelan Winter League in the ’22-’23 offseason. He spent last year with Gastonia Honey Hunters of the independent Atlantic League, pitching to a 4.91 ERA in 84 frames.
Though Romano doesn’t have a great big league track record and hasn’t pitched in affiliated ball in nearly three years, he’ll join up with a Red Sox organization that is severely lacking rotation depth at the moment. Eighty percent of the team’s projected Opening Day rotation is on the injured list, with Lucas Giolito done for the season (internal brace surgery). Garrett Whitlock (oblique strain), Brayan Bello (lat discomfort) and Nick Pivetta (flexor strain) are all on the shelf, as is depth starter Chris Murphy — who required Tommy John surgery earlier this year.
With that slate of injuries, the Sox are going with Kutter Crawford, Tanner Houck, Cooper Criswell, Chase Anderson and Josh Winckowski in the rotation. Depth options beyond that quintet include Naoyuki Uwasawa, Vladimir Gutierrez and non-roster righty Jason Alexander. Romano may not have much big league success, but he does carry a 3.87 ERA in parts of three Triple-A seasons. He’ll give the Sox some extra depth while they navigate a rough patch for the rotation.
There’s the rotation savior.
Joe – Speaking of savior, Dalbec just made ANOTHER incredible play.
If there was any possible way we could combine his defense with the hitting of Casas …. man oh man, I’d be one happy camper.
I’m hoping Dalbec can figure it out offensively. He’d be a nice addition to the offense at the infield corners when Devers or Casas (whenever he returns) need a break.
With Casas being out long term, Dalbec is getting an opportunity. Can’t waste it.
Joe – Not kidding, Bobby just made yet ANOTHER miraculous play.
Pablo airmailed a throw to 1B, Bobby got some serious hangtime snagging it, and then when he came down he made a no-look behind the back swipe tag on the runner.
Dalbec is showing some serious leather tonight.
Actually my bad, it was Rafaela that airmailed the throw to first base.
Earlier in the inning Pablo got an error when he threw the ball in the dirt.
I maintain one of dalbec’s problems is the lack of consistent ABs at the same level. It’s something Boston has been known for, forcing a guy on the bench and costing him the ability to grind through.
Right now Dalbec needs to make the most of his playing time, but, I dont think it’s a switch that can be easily flipped.
I’ve always felt that the longer a guy remains stalled at a particular level (while actually playing there, not just on the shelf with injuries), the harder it is to make the jump to the next.
I am eagerly waiting for the day that I no longer have to consistently watch Reyes, Hamilton, and Valdez. While Reyes can play 3B, his arm seems weak for the position. Hopefully Romy can come back soon, and the Sox can have Dalbec, Grissom, Gonzalez, Devers in the IF and Duran, Rafaela, O’Neill in the OF.
And I agree 100% GA, hitting is hard enough. There’s a jump between AAA and MLB pitching, going back and forth or not getting consistent ABs will make adjusting very hard. Dalbec had a rough start but now has a hit in three straight games. I’m pulling for him.
Gastonia Honey Hunters??? Are you sure it wasn’t the Gashouse Gorillas that Bugs Bunny took on in “Baseball Bugs”
One, two, three strikes yer out!
One, two, three strikes yer out!
One, two, three strikes yer out!
Jordan Romano’s uncle??
Fangraphs has him with a 70g FB, averaged nearly 94mph his last season (21) and 95+ 17-20. They show him as a 45g “prospect” 50 (or better) FB, command and slider. Much better than see on many guys.
Don’t remember this guy and must be issues with him, but what see looks intriquing.
I think he signed with the Mariners for the ’22 season and then retired before the season started. Didn’t know he was still at it.
Big Sally looked good when he first came up but the league caught up with him. Always looked like he should throw 100 but topped out at 95 and had control issues in a homer friendly ballpark. Ended up in the bullpen, then sent down and never got back on track down by the river. No word whether he lived in a van.
Last I heard, he had some limited success with the Yankees out of the bullpen after the Reds cut him loose, but don’t know what happened from there.
Is this the comedian on that show who’s deathly afraid of cats?
Bobby D with another hit. He is at .095, just .038 behind Valdez! Quickly moving up from OMG He Sucks to This Dude is Terrible!
Way to stay on topic.
DBH – You know why they call him Bobby D …. right?
The D is for defense ;O)
I’M REALLY MAD THE RED SOX SIGNED A PITCHER TO A MINOR LEAGUE CONTRACT!
I’m mad because the RS are apparently 0-28.
At this point they’d sign Ray Romano if he’s healthy
Rsox – I fully expect the Red Sox to also sign Sal’s brother Pecorino …. he can really bring the cheese.
My brother played high school ball with this kid, he’s a good kid. He’s fastball/slider and not much else. Good for 3 or 4 innings due to the lack of other pitches. He never has had the greatest control, his WHIP is what would concern me. He’s not efficient with his pitches,never was. Cora would be best to use him as a multi-innings bullpen guy, if he sees a lineup 3 times in a game that 3rd time he will get whacked about. His stamina is fine.
I didn’t even mention the funniest part of this signing, Sal’s dad is a huge lifelong Yankee fan that grew up in Brooklyn lol. I wish I saw his face when his son told him he’s signing with the Red Sox
His Father is probably happy… and laughing.