Blue Jays option Romero to Class A

The Toronto Blue Jays believe left-hander Ricky Romero needs to work on his delivery in a setting that will feature minimal focus on wins and losses.

That's why the left-hander will open the season with high Class A Dunedin.

With the 28-year-old veteran optioned to the low minors, the Blue Jays' No. 5 starting role will go to left-hander J.A. Happ.

Romero endured an 0-13 stretch last season en route to a 9-14 finish with a 5.77 ERA. The results weren't any better this spring, as he had a 6.23 ERA in five Grapefruit League outings.

"He's making strides, but like we told him, we just ran out of time to get him where he needs to be," Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said, according to the Toronto Sun. "That's ultimately what it came down to. ..

"From his standpoint, he understood. He's a pro. It's always a tough conversation but he knows he's not as sharp as he needs to be and it's going to take a little more time."

Anthopoulos added that the team is asking Romero to adjust his delivery and landing spot.

"Ultimately with him it will come down to how does it look, how's the command and how's his balance going towards home plate," Anthopoulos said, according to the Sun.

Happ has a 1.89 ERA this spring, but Anthopoulos said the decision to have Romero get work in the minors was unrelated to Happ's performance.