Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Ricky Romero walks to the dugout after being pulled by manager John Farrell during the second inning of their American League baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Toronto September 2, 2012.MIKE CASSESE/Reuters
The Toronto Blue Jays are hoping that whatever it is that has ailed starting pitcher Ricky Romero for most of the season can be cured by rest.
Toronto manager John Farrell said on Wednesday that their star lefthander will have his next start pushed back until Sept. 12 against the Seattle Mariners, allowing him nine days between starts.
Romero was originally slated to pitch next in Boston on Saturday against the Red Sox.
After his Seattle start, Romero will go on a six-day rotation for the rest of the season.
"I'm sure he's not fully pleased, and I'm sure he's not pleased by what's transpired over the last two and a half months," Farrell said in explaining the rationale behind the move. "So when it's outlined that we're going to bump him a start and then keep him on extra rest, we feel that's what we're doing based on what we see and what's the best approach for the rest of the season."
The Blue Jays have been unable to figure out what has been wrong with Romero this season, who is 8-13 on the year with a 5.85 ERA, having lost a club record 12 straight decisions.
In his most recent start on Monday against Tampa Bay, Romero suffered the shortest start of his career, failing to record an out in the second inning and surrendering seven runs in a 9-4 loss to the Jays.
The Blue Jays also announced that first baseman David Cooper, who was rehabbing a sore back in the minors leagues, has suffered a relapse and will be shut down for the rest of the season