Phillies Release Joe Ross, Place Jordan Romano on 15-Day IL

The Philadelphia Phillies have placed right-handed pitcher Jordan Romano on the 15-day injured list due to right middle finger inflammation and released right-hander Joe Ross from the team. Romano, signed to a one-year, $8.5 million deal with hopes of being a reliable bullpen presence, has struggled significantly with an 8.23 ERA, allowing a career-high 10 home runs and posting one of the worst reliever seasons in Phillies history. Ross, signed for $4 million, also underperformed with a 5.12 ERA in 51 innings. The Phillies have called up Lou Trivino, a 33-year-old with prior major league experience and recent minor league success, and Daniel Robert, who recently recovered from a blister injury, to fill the bullpen roles vacated by Romano and Ross. These moves reflect the Phillies' acknowledgment that their main bullpen acquisitions have failed to meet expectations, leading to a reshuffling primarily involving lower-leverage bullpen arms. The team hopes Trivino and Robert will stabilize the bullpen as they approach the final stretch of the regular season.