Left-handed pitcher J.C. Romero became the latest retread to leave the Orioles’ organization when he was granted his release from Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday.
Signed to a minor-league deal on May 23 after he was let go by the St. Louis Cardinals earlier in the month, the 36-year-old pitched to a 2.51 earned run average in 17 appearances for the Tides. Romero held an opt-out clause that could be triggered at the All-Star break, which the veteran elected to exercise after seeing no imminent opportunity with the Orioles.
He owned a 1-0 record and struck out 13 batters while walking five in 14 1/3 innings. Romero took a brief leave of absence from the Tides recently to deal with personal matters and had struggled leading up to the break.
Left-hander Zach Phillips is currently at Triple-A Norfolk, giving the Orioles another option should they choose to add a southpaw to their bullpen that already includes left-handers Troy Patton and Dana Eveland.
Romero has pitched for six different clubs over his 14-year career and is now a free agent.
