J.C. Romero told reporters Monday that he is hoping to return to the Phillies for the 2011 season.

The free agent left-hander drew a bit of interest from the Yankees and Tigers earlier this winter, but talks have stalled on both of those fronts. The Phillies may be interested after having to cancel Dennys Reyes' one-year contract for unknown reasons. Romero did, after all, hold left-handed batters to a .217/.323/.277 slash line over the course of the 2010 season.

The Yankees have expressed interest in free agent lefty J.C. Romero, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com.

The Tigers are also in the running. Romero posted a solid 3.38 ERA over the last two seasons in Philadelphia and held left-handed batters to a .217/.323/.277 batting line in 2010. The Phillies declined his $4.5 million option this fall and he will probably settle for a one-year contract this winter.

According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com, the Tigers have interest in J.C. Romero.

The Phillies recently declined the $4.5 million option on Romero for next season and for good reason. While the southpaw has a pretty decent 3.38 ERA over the past two seasons, he also compiled an awful 40/42 K/BB ratio. He's going to have to settle for a low guarantee this winter.

Phillies declined LHP J.C. Romero's $4.5 million option for 2011.

As expected, the Phillies bought out the option for $250,000. Romero has struggled to stay healthy over the past two seasons while posting a 40/42 K/BB ratio over 53 1/3 innings. The Phillies may try to bring him back at a cheaper price, but the southpaw could get a more attractive offer from another club.

The Phillies are expected to decline reliever J.C. Romero's $4.5 million club option for the 2011 season.

A smart move. Romero has battled injury after injury in the last two seasons while walking close to a batter per inning. The Phillies may have interest in re-signing the left-hander to a lesser contract, but he could get offers from other clubs that are desperate for bullpen help.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said Tuesday that J.C. Romero (back) is "good to go" for the NLDS against the Reds.

Romero left the Phillies' regular season finale with lower back soreness. That, apparently, was a precautionary measure. The lefty specialist posted a 3.68 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in 36 2/3 innings this season and will be used late in games to tackle some of the Reds' best left-handed bats.

J.C. Romero left Sunday's game with soreness in his lower back.

Everything should be fine by the time the playoffs begin. "I had a little pain going down my leg a little bit that I felt before, and it got worse," Romero said. "But I should be all right [for Wednesday]. I was just being smart so it wouldn't get really bad." The lefty reliever posted a 3.68 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 28/29 K/BB ratio in 36 2/3 innings of relief this season.

The struggling J.C. Romero told reporters that he is pitching through some discomfort with his surgically-repaired left elbow.

"I didn't know it would take this long to get accustomed to," said Romero. "But no excuses. I've got to adjust. I've got to learn my body. I've got to roll with the punches. I'm working through something in my arm. Perhaps it's scar tissue." Romero hit Andre Ethier, allowed a two-run homer to Casey Blake and walked George Sherill before being yanked from Tuesday's game. The southpaw has a 4.38 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 18/23 K/BB ratio in 24 2/3 innings this season. Don't be surprised to see the Phillies in the market for a left-handed reliever in the days to come.

J.C. Romero picked up a cheap save on Friday night by getting the final two outs in a 5-1 game.

Danys Baez started the ninth inning, but put two of the first three batters on. With the left-handed hitting J.D. Drew up, manager Charlie Manuel wisely went to Romero, his lefty specialist. Romero stayed in the game and eventually got the save. We'd still rather own Jose Contreras.

J.C. Romero earned a save on Sunday by working a perfect ninth inning against the Brewers.

Don't read too much into this. The Phils chose to turn Gregg Zaun around to start the ninth and then Romero was the obvious choice to stay in to face lefty Jody Gerut. Also, Jose Contreras pitched on both Thursday and Friday. Both veteran relievers will get some save chances while Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson are on the DL, but we'd rather own Contreras.

Phillies activated LHP J.C. Romero from the 15-day disabled list.

Romero pitched on back-to-back days earlier this week at Triple-A Lehigh Valley and declared himself ready for big league action. Now that he has his wish, the lefty specialist will try to stay healthy and out of trouble for the remainder of 2010. He pitched only 16 2/3 innings last year.

J.C. Romero (elbow) declared himself fit to return from the disabled list.

"I'm ready," Romero said after pitching on back-to-back days for the first time Tuesday. "I'm ready, but I just work here. He's the boss. Honestly, I'm not looking forward to keep driving around. But I have to do what I have to do." He's close, but Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has said he wants to see one more outing of at least one inning before he is activated from the disabled list.

J.C. Romero (elbow) is scheduled to pitch on back-to-back days starting Monday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

This was one of the last hurdles Romero needed to overcome, so if these appearances go well, he could return to Phillies' bullpen shortly thereafter. "Once I can go back-to-back, it's just choosing the right time to come back," Romero told the Philadelphia Inquirer. His fastball velocity is a little below his career average, but given the time of year and the fact that he's likely not throwing with max effort, it isn't something to be overly concerned about.

J.C. Romero (elbow) tossed a scoreless inning for Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday.

Romero threw 13 of 17 pitches for strikes while allowing one hit and striking out two. He's further along in the rehab process than Brad Lidge and could return as soon as next week.

J.C. Romero (elbow) allowed one hit and struck out two Saturday in a rehab appearance with Single-A Clearwater.

It was Romero's second rehab outing and moves him one step closer to returning to the Phillies' bullpen. We might even see him early next week.

J.C. Romero (elbow) is scheduled to make a rehab appearance for Single-A Clearwater on Saturday.

Romero already threw a scoreless inning for Clearwater on Thursday night, so he's progressing more quickly than his teammate Brad Lidge. With a few more appearances under his belt, he'll be ready to rejoin the team in the next week or so.

J.C. Romero (elbow) tossed a perfect inning Thursday in his rehab appearance for Single-A Clearwater.

Romero figures to rejoin the Philadelphia bullpen sometime next week if he continues to progress.

J.C. Romero, on the disabled list due to a sore left elbow, is scheduled to make a rehab appearance Thursday.

Romero is eligible to return from the disabled list on April 10, but might need a few more days than that. He's still working his way back from October elbow surgery and got in very little work this spring.