By
Aaliyan Mohammed is a Newsweek contributor based in Atlanta, GA. His focus is MLB content. Aaliyan has been with Newsweek since 2024 and previously worked at MLB.com, Wisconsin Sports Heroics and Heavy.com. He is a graduate of Mississippi State University. You can get in touch with Aaliyan by emailing a.mohammed@newsweek.com
Contributing Sports Writer
news article
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Share
✓ Link copied to clipboard!
Listen
Translate
English (Original)
Español中国人FrançaisDeutschPortugueseहिन्दी
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Speed: 0.5xSpeed: 1xSpeed: 1.5xSpeed: 2x
🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.
✖
The Philadelphia Phillies have already won the National League East, but must now focus on putting together the postseason roster.
The Phillies figure to go to an abbreviated rotation like most teams do for October. That means certain starters may be coming out of the bullpen in October. As a result, some relievers may not make the cut.
The Phillies may have to make some tough decisions when it comes to who the team takes into October, but FanSided’s Matt Grazel thinks it is an easy decision to leave two-time All-Star Jordan Romano off the playoff roster.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 18: Jordan Romano #68 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on against the Seattle Mariners at Citizens Bank Park on August 18, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Mariners 12-7.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 18: Jordan Romano #68 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on against the Seattle Mariners at Citizens Bank Park on August 18, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Mariners 12-7.
Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
“If Romano is healthy enough to pitch by the start of the playoffs, the Phillies need to consider his struggles this year in determining whether he should be on their roster,” wrote Grazel. “He has pitched too many games this year in which he has surrendered multiple runs. The team would be better off with Trivino, Mayza or Lazar on their postseason roster in place of a healthy Romano.”
Romano is currently on the injured list, but he could be available when the postseason starts. He stepped into the closer’s role for the Phillies after Jose Alvarado’s suspension. He struggled and was removed from the role.
Overall, he has an 8.23 ERA on the season. He has been a disaster for the Phillies. With Jhoan Duran now cemented as the closer, Romano has no real reason to be on the roster. The Phillies have better options than him as middle-inning options, and he cannot be trusted in leverage.
He was an All-Star closer for the Toronto Blue Jays at one point in his career. However, he is no longer that player.
More MLB: Yankees Breakout Star in Line for ‘Enormous Raise’ Per Insider