The St. Louis Cardinals are still deciding who will take over the closer role after they shipped relievers Ryan Helsley and Phil Maton away at this week's trade deadline, but president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said on Thursday that left-hander JoJo Romero was the top candidate. Mozeliak also mentioned that right-handers Riley O'Brien and Kyle Leahy should see their usage expand to late-inning setup roles. Rookie Gordon Graceffo could also be in the mix, but it appears that Romero will get the first crack at ninth-inning duties, immediately raising his fantasy appeal for those looking for saves late in the year. Romero, 28, doesn't have typical dominant closer stuff, but he has a nice 2.04 ERA (2.84 FIP), 1.19 WHIP and 35:15 K:BB in 35 1/3 relief innings for the Cards this year. He has only four career saves in six MLB seasons.

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher JoJo Romero (forearm) threw live batting practice earlier this week. Romero ended the 2024 campaign on the injured list with right forearm inflammation. However, seeing him already facing live hitters suggests he is past the injury and a full-go for spring training. Romero enjoyed a strong 2024 campaign, holding a 3.36 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP across 59 innings. He tallied 51 punchouts and showed strong command as he allowed walks at a 6.6 percent rate. Romero was very valuable in holds leagues as he tallied 30 holds, operating as the setup man for closer Ryan Helsley. Fantasy managers should expect the 28-year-old to continue operating in this role during the 2025 campaign, making him a strong target in holds leagues.

St. Louis Cardinals left-handed reliever JoJo Romero (forearm) is scheduled to start a throwing program this week. Romero was placed on the 15-day injured list in the last week of the regular season due to left-forearm inflammation. With the 28-year-old southpaw already starting a throwing program before the start of the World Series, he'll have plenty of time to rehab this offseason in order to be ready to go for the start of spring training in mid-February. The former fourth-round pick of the Philadelphia Phillies in 2016 out of Yavapai College made a career-high 65 appearances out of St. Louis' bullpen in 2024 and posted a career-best 3.36 ERA (4.27 FIP), a 1.15 WHIP, one save, a career-high 51 strikeouts and 16 walks in 59 innings pitched. If healthy, he could have another workhorse role in the Cards' bullpen next year.

The St. Louis Cardinals placed relief pitcher JoJo Romero (knee) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to Sept. 2) on Monday with left-knee patellar tendinitis and activated left-hander Matthew Liberatore (back) from the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. It's a significant development for the Cardinals' bullpen, as Romero had been serving as the team's primary closer since the end of July. Ryan Helsley recently came off the injured list and could eventually see most of the save chances down the stretch, but Giovanny Gallegos picked up the save on Sunday and should also be in the mix with Romero sidelined. Romero, a 26-year-old left-hander, has a 3.68 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, three saves and 42 K's in 36 2/3 innings in 2023.

St. Louis Cardinals lefty JoJo Romero closed out Wednesday's 6-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates, completing the final two innings. He gave up one run on two hits while striking out three and walking none to earn his third save of the season. Over 33 innings this year, Romero has pitched to a 3.55 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and 28.2% strikeout rate. With Ryan Helsley (forearm) still down with an injury, the 26-year-old's been sharing the closing duties with right-hander Giovanny Gallegos. Fantasy managers in deeper formats in need of saves can roster Romero for the time being.