Right-handed reliever Jordan Romano and the Los Angeles Angels are in agreement on a one-year, $2 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Romano, 32, heads to an Angels team loading up on reclamation projects in hopes of recapturing the form that landed him on two All-Star teams.
Canadian reliever Jordan Romano signs one-year deal with Angels
Photo credit: © Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Dec 17, 2025, 07:00 ESTUpdated: Dec 17, 2025, 04:44 EST
Jordan Romano has found a new team.
On Tuesday evening, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the Markham reliever has joined the Los Angeles Angels, signing a one-year deal worth $2 million. This comes a few weeks after they signed former Toronto Blue Jays starter Alek Manoah, also to a one-year deal.
Romano was drafted in the 10th round of the 2014 draft by the Blue Jays, and he spent the first 10 seasons of his professional career with the Jays, aside from a few months in the Texas Rangers organization after the Chicago White Sox selected him in the 2018 Rule 5 draft.
Romano made his big league debut in 2019, but didn’t produce good results in the big leagues until the following season. In 2020, the right-handed pitcher had a 1.23 ERA and 3.12 FIP in 14.2 innings pitched during the pandemic-shortened season. The 2021 season was Romano’s first full season in the big leagues, posting a 2.14 ERA and 3.15 FIP in 63 innings pitched, making 23 saves in 24 attempts.
By the 2022 season, Romano was the Blue Jays’ full-time closer, with the pitcher posting his career-best season that year. In 64 innings pitched, Romano had a 2.11 ERA and 2.82 FIP, with a 28.3 K%, down from the 33.6 K% in 2021. Romano had a solid season in 2023, but dealt with injury and poor performance in 2024. After the 2024 season ended, Romano was non-tendered and eventually signed with the Philadelphia Phillies.
The 2025 season wasn’t kind to Romano either, as the 32-year-old posted an 8.23 ERA and 5.39 FIP in 42.2 innings pitched with the Philadelphia Phillies. His season came to an end in late August, as he went on the 15-day Injured List with a finger injury. Romano didn’t feature on the Phillies’ National League Divisional Series roster.
Hopefully, both Romano and Manoah can get their careers back on track in a low-pressure environment that is the Angels. They’ll be joined by former Blue Jays Yusei Kikuchi and Travis d’Arnaud, the latter never played for their big league team.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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