Romero returns to Jays rotation
Johnson’s arm injury opens door for former ace
It’s certainly not how Ricky Romero or the Blue Jays planned for his 2013 debut to play out, but the embattled left-hander will return to the Rogers Centre mound on Friday in place of the injured Josh Johnson.
Johnson, scratched from his last start due to inflammation in his right triceps, has been added to the 15-day disabled list, opening the door for Romero to rejoin the rotation.
An emerging all-star just two seasons ago, Romero suffered through a disastrous 2012 in which he had the highest earnedrun average and most walks among qualified starters. He underwent off-season surgery to remove scar tissue from his pitching elbow, plus receiving plateletrich plasma injections in both knees to treat tendinitis. But Romero’s struggles continued in spring training and he failed to make the big-league club, instead spending the first month working with roving pitching instructor Dane Johnson on a series of adjustments.
“They think he’s ironed that out,” manager John Gibbons said.
Romero started Saturday for the Class-A Dunedin Blue Jays — his only game action since spring training — going seven innings and allowing one run on six hits and no walks. The improved command was encouraging.
Gibbons said there are no concerns about Romero’s confidence, which was an issue during spring training.
“If we didn’t feel good about it, and he didn’t feel good about it, he wouldn’t be coming here,” Gibbons said.
Gibbons said the Jays haven’t thought about what happens if Romero is pitching well enough to stay when Johnson is ready to return: “It means things are going pretty good, though.”