Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano underwent arthroscopic surgery Wednesday to repair an impingement in his right elbow, according to manager John Schneider.

Romano is not expected to throw for at least six weeks, and his return this season is uncertain.

The Blue Jays shut down Romano indefinitely after the Markham, Ont. native felt elbow discomfort while throwing in Friday, with the reliever visiting Dr. Keith Meister on Tuesday.

Toronto originally placed Romano on the injured list on June 1 due to right elbow inflammation, and manager John Schneider said there was no structural damage at the time.

Romano, 31, has dealt with a pair of injuries this season. He began the year on the injured list with an elbow issue.

Toronto’s closer has received two anti-inflammatory injections this season, one during his first stint on the injured list and one during this most recent bout of elbow pain.

An All-Star in 2023, Romano has been limited to just 13.2 innings, in which he’s recorded eight saves, struck out 13 hitters and posted a 6.59 ERA. Romano’s eight saves this year helped him climb to third place in saves all-time among Blue Jays closers.

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jordan Romano recently underwent surgery on his right elbow, a procedure that will likely sideline him for the remainder of the season. The 28-year-old right-hander had been experiencing discomfort in his throwing arm for several weeks before ultimately deciding to undergo the operation.

The surgery, known as Tommy John surgery, is a common procedure for pitchers who have suffered damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in their elbow. This ligament is crucial for stabilizing the elbow joint during the throwing motion, and when it becomes damaged or torn, it can lead to pain, swelling, and a loss of range of motion.

Romano’s decision to undergo surgery was likely made in consultation with team doctors and medical staff, who would have assessed the extent of the damage to his elbow and recommended the best course of action. Recovery from Tommy John surgery typically takes around 12-18 months, meaning Romano will likely miss the remainder of this season and potentially part of the next.

Losing Romano is a blow to the Blue Jays bullpen, as he had been one of their most reliable relievers this season. In 35 appearances, he posted a 2.91 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 43.1 innings pitched. His absence will leave a void in the closer role, which will need to be filled by other members of the bullpen.

Despite the setback, Romano remains optimistic about his recovery and is determined to come back stronger than ever. He will undergo a rigorous rehabilitation program to rebuild strength in his elbow and shoulder and work on his mechanics to prevent future injuries.

In the meantime, the Blue Jays will need to rely on their other relievers to step up in Romano’s absence and help secure wins down the stretch. With a talented roster and a competitive spirit, they are well-positioned to weather this setback and continue their push for a playoff spot in the highly competitive American League East division.