Another familiar face will be out in the Phillies pen this season.
Lefty reliever J.C. Romero has agreed to a one-year, $1.35 million contract with the Phightins, the team announced Thursday.
Romero was 1-0 with a 3.68 ERA in 36.2 innings pitched spread over 60 appearances for the Phils last season while holding left-handed batters to a .217 average.
The 34-year-old southpaw has been a fixture in the Phils pen since joining the team in June 2007. But his time here is also marred by a 50-game suspension for testing positive for a banned substance before the 2009 season and stints on the disabled list.
Romero joins returnees Ryan Madson, Brad Lidge, Jose Contreras and others in the Phils pen. He should likely serve as a late-inning left-handed specialist in Charlie Manuel’s bullpen.
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