Music: {allcanada} BLUE JAYS OPTION ROMERO TO SINGLE-A DUNEDIN

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

{allcanada} BLUE JAYS OPTION ROMERO TO SINGLE-A DUNEDIN

DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Ricky Romero's encouraging start Tuesday was not enough to make up for a rocky pre-season.

The Toronto Blue Jays announced that the left-hander has been optioned to single-A Dunedin of the Florida State League.

The move came shortly after Romero picked up the win in Toronto's 6-3 victory over Pittsburgh. It was considered a make-or-break start for Romero, who had a decent outing but didn't do enough to make up for his spring struggles.

He went 1-1 in five Grapefruit League starts with a 6.23 earned-run average. But his worst outing doesn't show up in the exhibition standings. Romero was lit up in a worrying minor-league start last week, allowing four runs and five walks while retiring only eight batters.

Romero opened last season as Toronto's No. 1 starter, but struggled to a 9-14 record with a 5.77 ERA in 32 starts.

He found himself fighting for the last spot in the rotation this spring after the Jays picked up R.A. Dickey, Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle over the off season.

J.A. Happ, who has pitched well in spring training, will likely get Romero's fifth spot in the rotation. Happ has a spring training record of 1-1 with a 1.89 ERA in six outings, including five starts.

Holdover Brandon Morrow is the other starter.