Ricky Romero is still working on mechanical adjustments in bullpen sessions and is not yet ready to appear in minor league games. The Blue Jays are trying to get the left-hander to not throw across his body as much, with the hope that it will improve his command. Romero will return to game action once the Jays feel he's made strides in the area. "Ricky sounded good, and that was the key thing," said manager John Gibbons, who talked with Romero over the weekend. "He was upbeat and positive. Said he was getting some really good work done in the bullpen. We still don't know yet when he's going to get into a game, but I don't think that's too far off."

Blue Jays optioned LHP Ricky Romero to High-A Dunedin. It's the right move to make. Romero was a disaster last season and clearly still hadn't figured things out this spring, posting a 6.23 ERA and 2.08 with 10 walks over 13 innings. He'll try to work through his issues in the minors while the Blue Jays use J.A. Happ as their fifth starter.

Ricky Romero allowed three runs -- two earned -- in 4 1/3 innings Tuesday against the Pirates. It's an improved outing from Romero, but that still doesn't make it very encouraging; he allowed six hits, walked three and struck out two. It sounds like the Jays are still leaning towards making him their fifth starter, but they'd likely be better off sending him to Triple-A and going with J.A. Happ instead.

Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said that while a discussion about removing Ricky Romero from the rotation hasn't taken place, he is "constantly evaluating" everything. "We haven't talked about it all. We evaluate it start by start," Anthopoulos said. "We've said we have our five starters. He's one of those five starters. We haven't had any change of plans, the plans are still the same. But just like anything else, you're constantly evaluating." Romero went 2 1/3 innings against a High-A team Thursday, allowing four runs on five hits and five walks, throwing just 29 of 64 pitches for strikes. He also holds a 7.27 ERA and 2.08 WHIP with seven walks over 8 2/3 Grapefruit League frames. If the Jays ultimately decide to let Romero work on things in the minors, J.A. Happ would replace him in the rotation.

Ricky Romero is currently in the process of tweaking his mechanics. The Blue Jays noticed a flaw in Romero's delivery -- specifically that he had been throwing across his body more pronounced than in the past -- so they are trying to get him to direct his momentum toward home plate as opposed to third base. He is also now setting up from the middle of the rubber as opposed to the first base side. However, he's still trying to get comfortable with the changes in game situations. "Obviously during the game in the middle of the competition you're going to shift over a little bit, but the more you get the muscle memory under control I think the better off I'm going to be," said Romero. Coming off a 5.77 ERA last season, the Blue Jays are hoping that the tweaks will get him back on track.

Ricky Romero lost to the Tigers after giving up three runs in three innings on Friday. Jhonny Peralta homered off the left-hander. Nothing Romero has done this spring suggests a rebound is in store for 2013. Besides the 7.27 ERA, he has a 6/7 K/BB ratio in 8 2/3 innings over four starts.

Ricky Romero allowed two runs -- one earned -- in two innings and walked three Saturday versus the Tigers. Andy Dirks homered off him. Romero has struck out just two and walked five in his three starts this spring. For a pitcher coming off such a disappointing season, it doesn't seem like a good omen.

Ricky Romero yielded two runs in 1 2/3 innings Wednesday in a no-decision against the Twins. Joe Benson homered off him. Worse, just 17 of his 36 pitches went for strikes. It's just one outing, but we need to see reasons to be optimistic about Romero this spring before penciling him in for a bounce-back season.

Ricky Romero said Thursday that his surgically-repaired left elbow feels "100 times better." "I wasn't able to rotate it at one point I was so sore at the end of the year," said Romero, who posted an ugly 5.77 ERA and 124/105 K/BB ratio over 181 innings last season. It wasn't just the elbow that was bugging him, as he also received platelet-rich plasma injections in both of his knees. Assuming the injuries are behind him, he could make for a nice late-round bounce back candidate in fantasy leagues.

Ricky Romero underwent arthroscopic surgery to clean up his left elbow. Romero was a complete enigma this season, posting a 5.77 ERA and 124/105 K/BB ratio over 181 innings, so the elbow at least provides some context for his struggles. The 27-year-old southpaw will only need six weeks of recovery time, meaning the surgery shouldn't impact his availability for spring training. Romero also received platelet-rich plasma injections in both knees to help his recovery from quad tendinitis.