Rob Thomson has now seen several rough outings from Jordan Romano, the veteran reliever brought in to bolster a Philadelphia Phillies bullpen in need of experienced arms. After Romano’s latest meltdown, the manager offered a clear explanation of what he believes is going wrong.
Speaking after the Phillies’ narrow 11–10 win over Miami, Thomson said Romano’s issue boils down to execution on the mound. That lack of command has led to multiple shaky appearances since joining the team.
Thomson also revealed that the coaching staff will review tape to determine if Romano is unintentionally tipping pitches—an issue that could explain what’s shaping up to be the worst outing of his career.
Other voices speak up on Romano’s slump
Bryce Harper was one of the first to publicly support Romano last week, saying he believes his teammate can turn things around. Taijuan Walker also recently addressed Romano’s situation, sending a clear message of support despite the reliever’s struggles.
So far, Romano’s debut season with the Phillies has been rough. Through nine appearances, he holds a 15.26 ERA—statistically one of the worst starts of his MLB career, according to Baseball Reference.
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Phillies bullpen off to a shaky start
Philadelphia’s bullpen has struggled across the board in 2025. According to the latest stats, the Phillies rank third-worst in bullpen ERA at 5.54 and have already allowed 41 earned runs—fifth-most in the league, just behind the Marlins. Thomson has acknowledged the bullpen’s issues, especially in games the team has let slip away due to unreliable relief pitching.
