Toronto is getting closer Jordan Romano leaving the All-Star Game through injury

July 11, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; American League pitcher Jordan Romano of the Toronto Blue Jays (68) pitches against the National League during the seventh inning of the 2023 MLB All Star Game at T-Mobile Park. Image: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

SEATTLE – Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano knocked out in the top of Tuesday’s seventh inning All-Star Game with tightness in his back

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Romano entered the game leading the American League 2-1 at T-Mobile Park and pushed Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith to fly out. The next batter, Arizona outfielder Lourdes Guerriel Jr., hit Romano’s second pitch from 395 feet to left field for what was originally billed as a game-tying home run.

While the play was under umpire review, AL manager Dusty Baker visited the mound with a coach. Romano left the field moments later and was replaced by Detroit’s Michael Lorenzen.

“He just said when he threw his last pitch in the bullpen before he went there, he just felt a little tightness in his lower back,” Baker told Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. “We have to take every precaution to protect these players, even if they are on another team. Because they have to come back and play.

“He’s a very big and important part. He’s closer to the Toronto Blue Jays, so we hope that’s nothing.

The home run was eventually called off, and Gurriel went on to hit base on one infield.

“I kinda missed it, but it didn’t disappear behind the foul post, it hit the fence there,” Baker said of his sight of Gurriel’s inside shot. “So, I didn’t know right away, but I thought it was a foul. And then when (Baltimore catcher) Adley Rutschman looked at me and he thought it was a foul. And we got that famous call to the clubhouse: They said it was a foul.”

–Derek Harper, Field Level Media