Sal Romano’s first pitch as a big-leaguer registered 97 mph on the radar gun at Great American Ball Park. His second was at 98.
That certainly drew some oohs and aahs from the stands and the press box, but it raised concerns in the Reds dugout.
“I think we all had the concern that he was blowing and going from that first pitch on,” Reds manager Bryan Price said following the team’s 4-2 loss to the Brewers in Romano’s big-league debut Sunday.
Just 13 games into the 2017 season, three starters have debuted. Like Rookie Davis and unlike Amir Garrett, Romano looked like a rookie.