The Toronto Blue Jays have added another pitcher to the injured list, with closer Jordan Romano going down with what the club has described as right elbow inflammation. In a corresponding move, the Blue Jays recalled left-hander Brendon Little from Buffalo to take his spot in the bullpen.

There seemed to be some concern last night as manager John Schneider did not call upon Romano in extra innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Schneider later confirmed postgame that his closers elbow had not bounced back after his last outing and further testing on Romano’s elbow showed no structural damage, just inflammation, so the team is currently shutting him down for the time being.

It has been a tough stretch for the Markham, Ont. product, as the Jays right-hander started the season on the IL with a similar elbow inflammation injury. He missed the first couple of weeks before being reinstated on April 15th.

So far this season, Romano owns a 6.59 ERA through 13 2/3 innings while converting eight of nine save opportunities. Through 15 outings, the 31-year-old has allowed 16 hits and 10 earned runs during the stretch, struggling at times to keep opposing teams off the base paths while still converting 88% of save chances. In particular, Romano has allowed four earned runs through his last appearances and eight total runs through May while striking out eight batters. Opponents own a .286 average on closer so far this season.

Returning to the big leagues is Brendon Little, who has made three appearances for the Jays this season while riding the options bus given the numerous injuries to the Blue Jays bullpen through the first two months. Since being optioned down to Buffalo on May 5th, Little has allowed five earned runs through seven outings and owns a 4.15 ERA in triple-A through 16 outings.

Romano joins Alek Manoah on the IL with a similar elbow injury while Bowden Francis and Yariel Rodriguez are slated to return from their respective rehab stints shortly.