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By Peter Chawaga
Contributing Sports Writer
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The Philadelphia Phillies suffered a significant setback after being swept by the New York Mets on Wednesday.
After surging to the top of the National League East division, the Phillies built up a considerable lead over the Mets. But after their latest series, that lead has shrunk to four games with the momentum shifting over to the Mets.
Now, as the Phillies look to get their momentum back in the final weeks of the regular season, they are hoping that some roster changes made in the middle of their Mets series can help. The team opted to drop reliever Joe Ross and to move reliever Jordan Romano to the 15-day injured list as both pitchers have struggled.
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Romano was diagnosed with inflammation on his right middle finger, though there's reason to believe his issues on the mound are deeper than that. After a harsh season last year amid an elbow problem, Romano has posted an 8.23 ERA in 49 games for the Phillies this year.
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And because he's on a one-year contract, it isn't clear that he'll ever pitch for the Phillies again. However, Romano spoke out after the move to say that he "expects to pitch again this season," according to Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
"It could be a delivery thing. It could be a health thing. We'll see how it goes throwing, and hopefully I'll be consistent again," Romano said of his struggles, per Lauber. "Obviously the way I was pitching wasn't great at all. I just need to figure it out and hopefully get back to feeling like my old self."
It's understandable that Romano would try to find some optimism about an effective return amid the injury. He is a two-time All-Star and former shutdown closer. But after the Phillies acquired Johan Duran from the Minnesota Twins, got Jose Alvarado back from suspension and promoted two minor league hurlers to replace Romano and Ross, they seem to have a full stable of more trustworthy arms heading for the playoffs.
Despite his own expectation, it's far from certain that Romano will have a future with the Phillies.
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