The lowest point came during the Los Angeles Angels‘ ugly 1-12 loss on Saturday. It was an especially tough day for the team’s 33-year-old relief pitcher, who struggled by giving up four runs and managing to get two batters out. But the biggest issue was what happened next.

Even though he was pitching poorly, he stood his ground and argued with manager Kurt Suzuki for being taken out of the game.

“Jordan Romano was released from the Angels shortly after this mound visit with manager Kurt Suzuki, as he didn’t want to go out of the game. Wonder what was said here,” js9innings shared via X.

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The Los Angeles Angels clearly lost their patience this week. And this recent layoff is especially stressful for a team struggling at the bottom of the AL West.

Walbert Urena had a poor start on Saturday, allowing four ERs from his 3.2 innings with three SOs. That was made even worse by Romano in relief, allowing 4 more in just 0.2 innings without a SO. At the bottom of the eighth, Suzuki was seen on a mound visit.

He reportedly asked Romano to end his innings.

The visual expression confirmed Romano was not in the mood to leave the game. But he eventually left looking frustrated.

While it was not confirmed what they discussed, the Angels designated him for assignment on Sunday, only to get released on Tuesday! The reason could be Romano’s public spat with his manager or his rough outing in 2026.

The 33-year-old is officially now a free agent.

Romano was signed for a one-year, $2 million deal this offseason. But his brief tenure with the Angels lasted for only 11 relief appearances. He logged 8 innings with a 10.13 ERA. But Romano’s stint with the Blue Jays between 2019 and 2024 was dominant enough with a 2.90 ERA and 20.7 percent K-BB%.

The writing was probably already on the wall. The Angels just sped up their decision with Romano after this public spat on Saturday.

We can’t help but recall how something similar was brewed last year between Max Scherzer and the Blue Jays’ manager, John Schneider.

In Game 4 of the 2025 ALCS, Scherzer aggressively refused to be removed by Schneider in the fifth inning. He reportedly shouted at the skipper to leave the mound, subsequently striking out Randy Arozarena to escape a jam.

Scherzer responded with five SOs, allowing only two runs that day. Romano was not that fortunate, leaving the Angels with their decision to shuffle their bullpen.

The Angels’ bullpen needs a breather

The Angels’ bullpen needs even more than just releasing Jordan Romano.

“Angels bullpen ERA: 5.34,” LA Times’ Bill Shaikin reported.

In their last six games, the Angels’ bullpen had allowed 25 ERs and 14 runs! And Romano can’t be blamed singularly for these woes.

Nick Sandlin has a 14.29 ERA so far, while the Angels traded Brock Burke in January, who is currently throwing fireballs with the Reds, with a 0.68 ERA.

Meanwhile, in his 16.2 innings pitched, Shaun Anderson recorded a 5.94 ERA with 12 SOs. He’s now been released by the team, following which the Angels have to use the players they already have to fix the bullpen.

On Wednesday, they even DFA’d Joey Lucchesi, who was 0-1 with a 13.50 ERA in 3 1/3 innings over five games. Now, they have called up 25YO Mitch Farris from Triple-A Salt Lake.

Following his first stint with the Angels last month, going 0-0 with a 2.08 ERA over 4 1/3 innings in three games, the team will hope he keeps up with this form.

José Fermin has also been recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake. His recent game against the White Sox includes 0 runs from 1.2 innings with 1 SO. His four-seam fastballs that average 97 MPH could prove filthy at times.

Now, only time will tell if these changes help the Angels win more games. For now, the team has a clear message: Play well, and don’t cause any trouble.