Sergio Romo starting to be what Oakland A’s had hoped for

The Oakland A’s appeared to have the perfect bullpen piece when they signed Sergio Romo. His experience in literally every role on the pitching staff, from closer to being the first opener, made him the perfect fit for a bullpen that had plenty of question marks heading into the season.

However, Romo ended up being a disappointment at the start of the season. After a disastrous outing on May 23, he had a 7.63 ERA and a 1.696 WHiP over his 15.1 innings, striking out 14 batters with eight walks. Romo was not even close to being what the A’s had hoped for as their bullpen struggled at the beginning of the year.

Sergio Romo on fire for Oakland A’s

But that was then and this is now. As the A’s have been looking for a player to step up in the bullpen to give manager Bob Melvin more than three options at the end of the game, Romo has begun to be the reliever the A’s expected.

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Since that implosion on May 23, when he allowed three runs while recording just a single out, Romo has been a different pitcher. He has allowed just two runs on ten hits and two walks over his last 22 innings, striking out 25 batters. Romo has not allowed a run since June 26, the second time this season he has gone over a month without permitting a baserunner to score.

As the A’s look to shore up their bullpen, they are going to need to find pieces they can count on. The trio at the end of the game – Lou Trivino, Jake Diekman, and Yusmeiro Petit – have been overworked due to a lack of other options. Andrew Chafin has been acquired to give the team a second viable lefty option. But the A’s still need help.

Having Romo return to form certainly helps the A’s cause. While they could still use another upgrade to the bullpen, adding Chafin now gives them five relievers that they could count on. That next upgrade is not nearly as vital, allowing the A’s to focus on other areas of the team.

Sergio Romo is heating up exactly when the Oakland A’s needed him to. As they are looking to upgrade the roster, his success will make that job easier.