Blue Jays' Romano, Swanson to start season on IL
The Toronto Blue Jays will start the season without two key members of their bullpen.
Manager John Schneider confirmed All-Star closer Jordan Romano and fellow right-hander Erik Swanson will be placed on the injured list before Thursday's Opening Day contest, according to MLB.com's Keegan Matheson.
Romano, whose 36 saves in 2023 placed second in the AL, has been shut down for several days due to elbow inflammation. An MRI taken earlier this week showed no structural damage, and he received an anti-inflammatory injection, per Sportsnet.
Swanson, who was expected to work as Romano's setup man, is dealing with right forearm inflammation. He also missed a large portion of spring training after he left the team to be with his son, who was hospitalized after being hit by a car.
Nate Pearson, who made the team as a reliever in the wake of the injuries, is a candidate to pitch in the late innings, or potentially close, while Romano and Swanson are out. Other ninth-inning options include Yimi Garcia and Chad Green.
The Blue Jays could also be down one starting pitcher to open the year, as former All-Star Alek Manoah will "likely" be placed on the IL, Schneider added. Manoah has been slowed by shoulder soreness since the early days of camp and made just one Grapefruit League appearance.
Alek Manoah is likely to start season on IL, said Schneider. He threw 34 pitches over two innings in a sim game, today. Next steps will depend on how he feels coming out of today, as Blue Jays will look to build him up.
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) March 27, 2024
The Blue Jays did get one piece of good pitching news Wednesday, as ace Kevin Gausman is good to go for the regular season after reporting no issues following his final spring start Monday, according to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi.
Gausman's availability for the start of the year was in question after he experienced some shoulder issues early in camp. He'll either start the final game of the team's opening series in Tampa Bay on Sunday or in Houston on Monday, per Davidi.
In addition to Pearson, right-handers Wes Parsons and Mitch White made the team as relievers following the injuries, while Zach Pop and Yariel Rodríguez were optioned to Triple-A Buffalo.
Parsons, who last made an Opening Day roster in 2019, told Sportsnet's Hazel Mae that he "teared up" upon hearing the news from his manager.