Playoff-Bound Toronto Blue Jays Suffer Blow as Star Pitcher Exits All-Star Game with Freak Injury

The 2023 MLB All-Star match-up between the AL and NL was not all fun and games. With the American League looking to go for a tenth straight win in the least ten years, it was the National League who won the game and ended a 10-year reign by the AL. But in the middle of the melee, a player left the All-Star Game with an injury.

Toronto Blue Jays’ Jordan Romano, who is in his second consecutive All-Star selection, was up against former teammate Lourdes Gurriel Jr. What at first seemed to be an exciting clash ended in a concerning conclusion. The Blue Jays pitcher has proved himself invaluable to the roster, so could this spell trouble for the future?

Jordan Romano leaves All-Star Game with a possible injury

After pitching to Gurriel in the 7th inning, it seemed like Romano had given up a rare home run. The pitcher currently leads the league with 26 saves and has been quite the addition to the Toronto roster. But the Midsummer Classic in Seattle saw him leave with a possible back injury.

Romano was apparently experiencing some back tightness when he pitched. Gurriel looked happy to have hit a homer in his first ever All-Star Game but the move was put under review. The ball was eventually called foul, with the NL batter looking particularly dismayed. But in the aftermath, Romano was removed, too.

Although it was only a precautionary measure, it could spell trouble for the Blue Jays. An indispensable part of the lineup, Romano helped his team make a startling comeback against the Detroit Tigers recently. The Blue Jays are contending for another playoff appearance this season, but can they do it without their star pitcher if needed?

Dusty Baker sheds light on Romano’s injury

Originally, it was supposed to be the Houston Astros’ Framber Valdez on the ASG roster for the AL. But manager Dusty Baker pulled him out to keep his ace for the regular season. Incidentally, Baker is also the AL team’s manager at the Midsummer Classic and was responsible for Romano, in a way.

Talking to The Atlantic’s Ken Rosenthal, Baker gave some background on Romano’s lower back tightness. Additionally, he added, “Got to take every precaution to take care of these players, you know, even if they’re on another team. Because they gotta go back and play for their own team. And he’s such a big, important part – he’s the closer of the Toronto Blue Jays, so hope that is nothing.”

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Blue Jays fans hope the same. Romano left the game with a trainer, but fans will be eagerly awaiting updates.