Cardinals Eye Reunion with Reliever JoJo Romero
St. Louis has interest in re-signing left-handed reliever JoJo Romero, who is a free agent after the 2026 season.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Baseball
The St. Louis Cardinals have reportedly shown interest in re-signing left-handed reliever JoJo Romero, a free agent following the 2026 season. Romero was traded to Milwaukee at the 2025 deadline and later became a free agent.
Why it matters
Romero posted a 2.07 ERA over 61 innings in 2025 and recorded 20 holds in 44 appearances in 2026, making him a significant bullpen asset. The Cardinals enter the season with thin left-handed relief options, which gives the club added reason to pursue his return.
Romero recorded a 2.07 ERA over 61 innings in 2025 and 20 holds in 44 appearances in 2026, ranking No. 46 on MLB Trade Rumors' Top 50 Free Agents list. MLB Trade Rumors projects a two-year, $13 million deal, though no offer has been reported.
The players
JoJo Romero
A 30-year-old left-handed reliever who has pitched for the Cardinals and Brewers and is ranked among the top free-agent relievers.
St. Louis Cardinals
A Major League Baseball franchise based in St. Louis that is evaluating a return for its former left-handed reliever.
The details
The Cardinals traded Romero and Dustin May to Milwaukee at the 2025 deadline in exchange for outfield prospects Alexander Frias and Josiah Ragsdale. Romero, 30, also picked up wins over the Dodgers in Games 2 and 4 of the NLCS and was scored upon in just one of seven playoff outings.
Timeline
2022: Romero joined the Cardinals in a trade that sent Edmundo Sosa to Philadelphia.
2025 trade deadline: The Cardinals traded Romero and Dustin May to Milwaukee.
2026 season: Romero is a free agent following the season.
Season Trajectory
The potential return of Romero reverses the Cardinals' 2025 decision to trade him to Milwaukee, which weakened their bullpen depth. Re-signing him would help the club address its thin left-handed relief options heading into 2027.
If the Cardinals re-sign Romero, his strikeout and holds production would strengthen the bullpen's left-handed options in the late innings. Fantasy managers tracking relief pitchers should note his 20 holds and 2.07 ERA when evaluating potential roster additions.
The takeaway
Roster depth in left-handed relief can determine late-inning matchups, and the Cardinals' pursuit of Romero reflects that priority. Fans tracking the bullpen should watch for an offer or a signing announcement in the coming weeks.
Further reading
For more on the club's roster moves, see Baseball coverage in St. Louis.
