Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano left Tuesday's All-Star Game accompanied by a trainer moments after throwing a pitch in the seventh inning.
AL manager Dusty Baker told the Fox Sports broadcast that Romano was dealing with some tightness in his lower back, which the Blue Jays later confirmed, according to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi.
The injury appeared to occur when Romano gave up what first looked like a long home run to National League outfielder and onetime Blue Jays teammate Lourdes Gurriel Jr. While replay reviewed the play, ultimately ruling it a foul ball, Romano spoke to AL trainers on the mound and then departed the game.
Jordan Romano leaves the game with a trainer as Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s home run gets overturned. pic.twitter.com/fmnw1UgQZq
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 12, 2023
"When he threw his last pitch in the bullpen before he went out there, he just felt some tightness in his lower back," Baker told Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal moments after Romano left the game. "We gotta take every precaution to take care of these players, even if they're on another team, because they got to go back and play."
Detroit Tigers right-hander Michael Lorenzen took over for Romano, completing Gurriel's at-bat and the seventh inning without allowing a run.
Romano said postgame that he thought his back would loosen up while pitching in the game, which did not happen. He added that he's already been in touch with the Blue Jays' medical staff, according to Sportsnet's Hazel Mae.
"The thing is, you really want to pitch, right? First time getting in there," Romano told Davidi. "But I was thinking we have the real season to prepare for, I didn't want to push through it and make it a real serious issue."
Romano was a late addition to this year's All-Star squad, being named as an injury replacement over the weekend. The 30-year-old owns a 2.87 ERA and 1.12 WHIP, along with a major-league-leading 26 saves in 39 games for the Blue Jays this season.
