Ricky Romero might have just claimed one of the vacant spots within the Blue Jays' rotation. In a spring filled with mediocre pitching performances from the dwindling list of starting candidates, Romero fashioned an outing that even left the opposition impressed on Sunday.
At one point during Romero's seven-inning audition, Astros catcher Ivan Rodriguez -- a strikeout victim in a dramatic bases-loaded escape act in the sixth inning for the left-hander -- told Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston that Toronto's young pitcher was tough to face.
"Obviously, I didn't get off to the spring that I wanted at the start," Romero said. "I got a little slow, but like they say, it's all about improving every time you're out there, and I feel like that's what I've been doing all spring -- just getting better."
Romero's rapid improvement might earn him a job with the Jays, but he's trying not to worry about that right now.
"It is what it is," Romero said. "They'll make the decision. I'm ready. I feel like I'm ready and, hopefully, it happens, because this is something you dream for when you're a little kid."
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