Pair of former Toronto Blue Jays relief pitchers enter free agency

Following being non-tendered by the Blue Jays last season, Jordan Romano signed a one-year $7.7 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, this season didn't work out the way he had hoped.

Former Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano and lefty specialist Time Mayza became free agents on November 2 and are now looking for new teams.

Romano has had a tough season with the Phillies after signing a one-year deal this winter.

He's pitched to a brutal 8.23 ERA in 42 2/3 innings of work this year despite solid peripherals (including a 3.65 SIERA) thanks in large part to an unbelievably low 49.0% strand rate after entering the season with a career 81.3% figure.

Romano has been on the shelf since August 26 due to finger inflammation, and according to manager Rob Thomson, Romano had been feeling numbness in his middle finger and stiffness in his neck. Romano was left off the Phillies postseason roster as a result.

While it's not impossible to imagine Romano righting the ship if he can only come back healthy, the possibility of a lingering nerve problem being the cause of his inflammation would seemingly create pessimism about his ability to sign with a team in the early going of 2026.

He will likely have to show that his injuries are no longer an issue before that happens.

Mayza was a pretty effective bullpen arm for most of his tenure in Toronto, but he struggled badly early in 2024 and was designated for assignment mid-season, with the Yankees putting in a claim.

Despite the his struggles, the Yankees signed him to a minor league deal. Mayza somewhat righted the ship with a 4.00 ERA over 18 innings for New York, but the Yankees still chose to non-tender him following the season.

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed Mayza to a one-year, $1.15MM free agent deal back in February.

The contract ended up being a wash for the team due to Mayza's extended injury absence, though he did post a 2.89 ERA over his 9 1/3 innings in a Bucs uniform.

He was later placed on waivers by Pittsburgh then subsequently claimed by the Phillies on August 31.

Mayza had been on the 60-day IL for much of the season, as the veteran reliever hadn't pitched in a big league game since April due to a lat strain and a teres major strain.

He is expected to be healthy for spring training for any team looking for a veteran lefty reliever in 2026.