Blue Jays stopper Romano on injured list with inflamed lower back | CBC Sports

Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano has been placed on the 15-day injured list, the club announced Saturday.

The 30-year-old from Markham, Ont., left Friday night’s 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels with two outs in the top of the ninth due to lower back inflammation.

Romano has struggled with back soreness since pitching in the all-star game on July 11.

He pitched three more times before Friday, when he appeared uncomfortable on the mound. Manager John Schneider came out for a visit and left Romano in the game, but later replaced him with Yimi Garcia.

Nate Pearson was recalled from the Blue Jays’ triple-A affiliate in Buffalo, N.Y., in a corresponding move.

Romano’s 28 saves this season are tied with Cleveland’s Emmanuel Clase and Baltimore’s Felix Bautista for most in the American League.

Romano has a 4-5 record this season, with a 2.79 earned-run average and 51 strikeouts over 42 innings. Yimi Garcia closed out Friday’s win with a one-out save.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said he would choose which reliever would close out games based on the lineup Toronto was facing.

San Francisco’s Camilo Doval and Cincinnati’s Alexis Diaz lead the National League with 31 saves each.

Pearson has a 5-2 record, 4.75 ERA and a save over 36 innings with the big club this season.