Former Twins Pitcher Fernando Romero Signs with Yokohama BayStars
Former Minnesota Twins pitcher Fernando Romero has signed with the Yokohama BayStars of the Japanese Central League, according to reports from . Romero, who last played professionally in 2022, will look to revitalize his career in Japan.
Romero, born in San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic, first debuted in Major League Baseball with the Twins on . His time with Minnesota was marked by flashes of potential and periods sidelined by injury. He underwent “Tommy John” surgery, causing him to miss the season.
In , Romero spent time bouncing between the Twins and their Triple-A affiliate, the Rochester Red Wings. He appeared in seven games for Minnesota during April and May, again in June, and a final seven outings in September. Notably, nine of his fourteen relief appearances that season were scoreless. He experienced a lower back strain while with Rochester, requiring a stint on the 7-day Injured List.
The season saw Romero placed on the Twins’ restricted list for the entirety of the year. He then transitioned to playing with the Yokohama BayStars in , where he made 23 appearances, including 18 starts. He finished with a 6-8 record and a 4.87 ERA over 92.1 innings pitched, striking out 54 batters. He ranked fourth on the BayStars staff in innings pitched.
During his time with Yokohama, Romero initially began the year as a starting pitcher before moving to the bullpen on . As a reliever, he was unscored upon in four of five outings, posting a 1-0 record with a 3.60 ERA (5 innings pitched, 2 earned runs).
Prior to his time in Japan, Romero showcased promising talent during his minor league career. He pitched his first professional complete game on , while with Pensacola, delivering a seven-inning shutout with three hits allowed, three walks, and six strikeouts. He was also named a Southern League Midseason All-Star.
While his MLB career has faced challenges, Romero’s ability to perform in key moments has been recognized. One fan expressed enthusiasm for his energy on the mound, stating, “Love his energy coming off the mound in big spots, thats the kind of energy that pumps up your team Big fan, go Fernando!”
Romero’s current role with the BayStars is not specified in available reports, but his experience as both a starter and reliever suggests versatility. He will be looking to build on his performance and establish himself as a valuable asset to the Yokohama BayStars.
According to EA SPORTS FC™ 26, Romero is listed as a Striker (ST) for Ind. Rivadavia, with an overall rating of 64. He is years old and plays with his right foot. His key stats include 66 Pace, 67 Shooting, and 67 Physicality.
