Sal Romano

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Sal Romano

|image = Sal Romano (cropped).png

|caption = Romano with the New York Yankees in 2021

|team = Guerreros de Oaxaca

|number =

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|10|12}}

|birth_place = Syosset, New York, U.S.

|bats = Left

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = April 16

|debutyear = 2017

|debutteam = Cincinnati Reds

|statyear = 2021 season

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 15–21

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 5.23

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 211

|teams =

Cincinnati Reds ({{mlby|2017}}–{{mlby|2021}})
New York Yankees ({{mlby|2021}})
Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2021}})
New York Yankees ({{mlby|2021}})

}}

Salvatore J. Romano (born October 12, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Guerreros de Oaxaca of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, and New York Yankees.

Early life

Romano was born in Syosset, New York, and raised in Southington, Connecticut.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/08/sports/baseball/sal-romano-reds-mets.html|title=Sal Romano, a Long Island Native, Baffles the Mets|newspaper=The New York Times|agency=Associated Press|date=August 8, 2018|access-date=July 22, 2021}} He attended Southington High School and played for the school's baseball team. He was the Gatorade State Player of the Year in 2011, his senior year.{{Cite web|url=https://www.myrecordjournal.com/Archive/2017/04/SalRomano-RJ-041517|title=Sunday is a day Sal Romano and his family and closest friends|first=Record-Journal Publishing|last=Co|website=www.myrecordjournal.com|access-date=July 22, 2021}}

Career

=Cincinnati Reds=

The Cincinnati Reds selected Romano in the 23rd round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the Reds rather than play college baseball for the University of Tennessee.{{cite web|url=http://articles.courant.com/2011-08-13/sports/hc-sal-romano-signs-0813-20110813_1_dave-serrano-facebook-page-scholarship-offer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728080920/http://articles.courant.com/2011-08-13/sports/hc-sal-romano-signs-0813-20110813_1_dave-serrano-facebook-page-scholarship-offer|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 28, 2013|title=Southington High's Sal Romano To Sign With Reds|work=tribunedigital-thecourant|access-date=November 20, 2015}} He had moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, and taken two courses before he signed with the Reds just before the August 17 signing deadline.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2017/03/07/college-dropout-how-romano-became-red/98877924/|title=College dropout: How Romano became a Red|first=Zach|last=Buchanan|website=The Enquirer|access-date=July 22, 2021}}

After signing, Romano made his professional debut with the Billings Mustangs and he spent the whole season there, going 5–6 with a 5.32 ERA in 15 starts. He spent 2013 with the Dayton Dragons where he compiled a 7–11 record and 4.86 ERA in 15 starts, and he returned there in 2014, going 8–11 with a 4.12 ERA in 28 starts.{{cite web|url=http://www.nhregister.com/sports/20140607/southingtons-sal-romano-starring-in-front-of-sold-out-crowds|title=Southington's Sal Romano starring in front of sold-out crowds|work=nhregister.com|access-date=November 20, 2015|date=June 7, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.centralctcommunications.com/newbritainherald/article_5de45038-b71a-11e4-8948-7796cfce66d6.html|title=Southington's Romano ready for new season with Reds|work=Central Connecticut Communications|access-date=November 20, 2015}}{{Dead link|date=June 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He spent 2015 with the Daytona Tortugas and Pensacola Blue Wahoos,{{cite web|url=http://www.myrecordjournal.com/sports/latestsports/7233294-129/former-shs-pitcher-romano-inches-closer-to-dream.html|title=Former SHS pitcher Romano inches closer to dream|author=Record-Journal Publishing Co|work=myrecordjournal.com|access-date=November 20, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042336/http://www.myrecordjournal.com/sports/latestsports/7233294-129/former-shs-pitcher-romano-inches-closer-to-dream.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.myrecordjournal.com/sports/latestsports/7588843-129/reds-promote-southingtons-romano-to-double-a.html|title=Reds promote Southington's Romano to Double-A|author=Record-Journal Publishing Co|work=myrecordjournal.com|access-date=November 20, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055711/http://www.myrecordjournal.com/sports/latestsports/7588843-129/reds-promote-southingtons-romano-to-double-a.html|url-status=dead}} compiling a combined 6–9 record and 4.82 ERA in 26 games (25 starts). After the season, the Reds added him to their 40-man roster. In 2016, Romano returned to Pensacola where he pitched to a 6–11 record with a 3.52 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 27 starts.

Romano began the 2017 season with the Louisville Bats. He was recalled to the Reds on April 16 and he made his major league debut that same day. Romano was sent back down to Louisville two days later. He was recalled from Louisville multiple times during the season before being recalled for the last time on July 18. In ten starts for Louisville he was 1–4 with a 3.47 ERA, and in 16 starts for Cincinnati, he compiled a 5–8 record and 4.45 ERA.{{cite web |url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=607219#/career/R/pitching/2018/ALL|title=Sal Romano Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball |publisher=MiLB.com |access-date=May 30, 2018 }}

Romano began 2018 as a member of Cincinnati's starting rotation. He ended the season with a record of 8–11 and a 5.31 ERA in 39 games (25 starts).{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/romansa01.shtml|title=Sal Romano Stats|website=Baseball-Reference.com|language=en|access-date=March 29, 2020}} Romano began 2019 as a relief pitcher with Louisville. On July 22, Romano was recalled back to Cincinnati. The next day, Romano would pitch three innings while giving up only three hits and one earned run and recorded two strikeouts en route to recording a save in a win over the Milwaukee Brewers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2019/03/22/cincinnati-reds-cut-8-players-including-nick-senzel-camp/3246880002/|title=Cincinnati Reds cut 8 players, including top prospect Nick Senzel, from Major League camp|first=Bobby|last=Nightengale|website=The Enquirer|access-date=July 22, 2021}}

Romano was designated for assignment by the Reds on February 5, 2020. On September 13, 2020, Romano was added to the Reds’ active roster.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/09/reds-place-sonny-gray-on-injured-list.html|title=Reds Place Sonny Gray On Injured List|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=September 13, 2020 }} He pitched 1.1 shutout innings in 2020. After recording a 5.23 ERA in 14 appearances, Romano was again designated for assignment on May 14, 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/05/reds-claim-michael-feliz-waivers-pirates-sal-romano-dfa.html|title=Reds Claim Michael Feliz, DFA Sal Romano|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=May 14, 2021 }} On May 17, Romano cleared waivers and elected free agency.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/05/reds-moves-feliz-romano.html|title=Reds Moves: Feliz, Romano|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=May 17, 2021 |access-date=July 22, 2021}}

=New York Yankees=

On May 19, 2021, Romano signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees organization.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/05/yankees-sign-sal-romano-to-minor-league-deal.html|title=Yankees Sign Sal Romano To Minor League Deal|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=May 22, 2021 |access-date=July 22, 2021}} Romano recorded a 3.63 ERA in 17 games with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders before he was released on July 18.{{cite tweet |author=MiLB-Transactions |user=tombaseball29 |number=1417162965715849216 |date=July 19, 2021 |title=#Yankeeshave released RHP Sal Romano. |language=en |access-date=July 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719164246/https://twitter.com/tombaseball29/status/1417162965715849216 |archive-date=July 19, 2021 |url-status=live}} Romano re-signed with the Yankees organization on a new minor league contract the same day.{{cite tweet |author=MiLB-Transactions |user=tombaseball29 |number=1417197504571985920 |date=July 19, 2021 |title=#Yankeeshave re-signed RHP Sal Romano to a minor league contract. |language=en |access-date=July 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719185957/https://twitter.com/tombaseball29/status/1417197504571985920 |archive-date=July 19, 2021 |url-status=live}} The Yankees selected Romano's contract to the major league roster on July 22.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/yankees/2021/07/yankees-sign-reliever-cut-starting-pitcher-what-it-means.html|title=Yankees sign reliever, cut starting pitcher | What it means|first=Brendan Kuty | NJ Advance Media for|last=NJ.com|date=July 22, 2021|website=nj|access-date=July 22, 2021}} In two appearances for the Yankees, Romano pitched {{frac|2|1|3}} scoreless innings with three strikeouts. On July 31, Romano was designated for assignment by the Yankees.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/07/yankees-designate-sal-romano-for-assignment.html|title=Yankees Designate Sal Romano for Assignment|date=July 31, 2021 }}

=Milwaukee Brewers=

Romano was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers on August 3, 2021. In 1 inning pitched for the Brewers, Romano gave up 3 runs. On August 10, 2021, Romano was designated for assignment by the Brewers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/08/brewers-reinstate-jake-cousins-from-covid-il-designate-sal-romano.html|title = Brewers Reinstate Jake Cousins from COVID-IL, Designate Sal Romano| date=August 10, 2021 }} On August 13, Romano elected free agency.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/08/sal-romano-elects-free-agency.html|title = Sal Romano Elects Free Agency| date=August 13, 2021 }}

=New York Yankees (second stint)=

On August 14, 2021, Romano signed a minor league contract to return to the New York Yankees. He was assigned to Triple-A Scranton.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/08/yankees-sign-sal-romano-to-minors-contract.html|title = Yankees Sign Sal Romano to Minors Contract| date=August 14, 2021 }} The Yankees selected his contract on September 8, and he made 1 appearance, getting 2 outs while giving up 1 run. On September 10, the Yankees designated Romano for assignment.{{cite tweet|number=1436417430885109760|user=Yankees|title=Prior to tonight's game, the Yankees made the following roster moves:• Returned from rehab and reinstated RHP Mich…|date=September 10, 2021}} On September 13, Romano cleared waivers, but rejected his outright assignment, making him a free agent.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/09/sal-romano-elects-free-agency-2.html|title=Sal Romano Elects Free Agency|date=September 13, 2021 }} The next day, Romano re-signed a major league contract with the Yankees.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/09/yankees-dfa-brooks-kriske-re-sign-sal-romano.html|title = Yankees Designate Brooks Kriske, Re-Sign Sal Romano| date=September 14, 2021 }} Romano once again only made 1 appearance for the Yankees, getting 1 out and giving up 1 run. After being injured and placed on the 10-day IL, the Yankees released Romano on September 20.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/09/yankees-activate-luis-severino-release-sal-romano.html|title=Yankees Activate Luis Severino, Release Sal Romano|date=September 20, 2021 }}

=Seattle Mariners=

On March 22, 2022, Romano signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/03/mariners-sign-sal-romano-to-minor-league-contract.html|title=Mariners Sign Sal Romano To Minor League Contract|last=Franco|first=Anthony|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=March 22, 2022|accessdate=April 5, 2022}} On April 4, Romano retired from professional baseball.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/player/sal-romano-607219|title=Sal Romano Stats, Fantasy & News}}

=Gastonia Honey Hunters=

On April 12, 2023, Romano came out of retirement to sign with the Gastonia Honey Hunters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{Cite tweet|user=GoHoneyHunters|number=1646181303744708609|title=This week in Gastonia, a new big leaguer enters the Gas House🔥🔥 #Gastonia #OnTheHunt #GasHouseIsland|date=12 April 2023|language=en|access-date=12 April 2023}} In 28 games (15 starts), he logged a 4.91 ERA with 75 strikeouts across {{fraction|84|1|3}} innings pitched. Romano became a free agent following the season.

=Boston Red Sox=

On April 26, 2024, Romano signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox.{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/transactions/2024-04-26 | title=Transactions }} In 15 games for the Triple–A Worcester Red Sox, he struggled to a 9.24 ERA with 15 strikeouts across {{fraction|25|1|3}} innings pitched. Romano was released by the Red Sox organization on July 13.{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/player/sal-romano-607219 | title=Sal Romano Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News }}

=Long Island Ducks=

On July 26, 2024, Romano signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.{{Cite web|title=Transactions|url=http://baseball.pointstreak.com/transactions.html?leagueid=174&seasonid=33927|access-date=July 26, 2024|website=baseball.pointstreak.com|language=en}} In 8 games (6 starts) for Long Island, he compiled a 2–1 record and 4.72 ERA with 25 strikeouts across {{fraction|34|1|3}} innings pitched. Romano became a free agent following the season.

=Guerreros de Oaxaca=

On March 5, 2025, Romano signed with the Guerreros de Oaxaca of the Mexican League.{{Cite web|url=https://x.com/beisbolpuro/status/1897366231201804444?s=46&t=UN5XGiNzRq3-vt33N7zCTw|title=x.com}}