The Red Sox have signed free-agent right-handed pitcher Sal Romano to a minor-league deal, as reported by the club’s MLB.com transactions log. Romano, 30, has been assigned to Triple-A Worcester.
A veteran of five major league seasons, Romano last pitched for the Yankees in 2021. Originally drafted by the Reds in the 23rd round of the 2011 amateur draft out of Southington High School in Connecticut, Romano signed for $450,000 and quickly rose as one of Cincinnati’s top pitching prospects.
He made his major league debut at 23 in 2017, posting a 4.45 ERA in 16 starts. However, he struggled in 2018 with a 5.31 ERA over 39 appearances. After a challenging 2019 season, Romano was designated for assignment by the Reds in February 2020 but stayed in the organization until being called up in September.
In 2021, Romano had stints with the Yankees and Brewers before returning to the Yankees. He has a lifetime 5.23 ERA in 88 MLB appearances and a 4.91 ERA in independent baseball. At Triple-A, he has a 3.87 ERA in 78 outings.
Listed at 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds, Romano relies on a sinker averaging 93.6 mph and a slider at 87.3 mph. It’s uncertain if the Red Sox will use him as a starter or reliever in Worcester, but he adds experienced depth to the pitching staff.
