Red Sox sign veteran right-handed pitcher, assigns him to Triple-A Worcester
The Red Sox signed veteran right-handed pitcher Sal Romano to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Worcester, the team announced.
Romano will be in uniform with the WooSox on the road in Toledo for Friday night’s game.
The 30-year-old has spent five seasons in the majors, with the majority of them in Cincinnati (2017-2021). Romano has also made appearances for the Brewers and Yankees.
The Southington, Connecticut, native was originally selected by the Reds in the 23rd round of the 2011 amateur draft. Romano was named Connecticut Gatorade Player of the Year in 2011 during his senior year at Southington High School.
While in the Reds organization, Romano was once considered a top pitching prospect before making his major-league debut in 2017. He posted a 4.45 ERA in 16 starts (87 innings) as a rookie and then struggled to a 5.31 ERA over 39 appearances (25 starts), spanning a career-high 145 2/3 innings in 2018.
The righty was designated for assignment by the Reds after an underwhelming 2019 where he allowed 14 earned runs in 16 1/3 innings of work. He ultimately remained in the Reds organization after clearing waivers. Romano pitched at the Reds alternate site during the COVID-shortened 2020 season before making their Opening Day roster the following year.
Romano posted a 5.23 ERA in 20 2/3 innings out of the Reds bullpen before again being designated for assignment that May. After being released, he joined the Yankees organization and pitched in two games for the Bronx Bombers. He hit waivers again, landed with the Brewers, and then rejoined the Yankees again after being let go by the Brewers after pitching in one game.
Romano briefly retired from baseball before he played winter ball in Venezuela in 2022/2023. He also spent time pitching for the Gastonia Honey Hunters of the independent Atlantic League last April.
Overall for his career, Romano has a lifetime ERA in 88 career appearances (41 starts, 275 1/3 innings) at the big-league level and a 4.91 ERA in Indy Ball. His role for the WooSox remains to be determined, but he will offer the club depth as both a starter and bulk-inning reliever.
