Romero was traded by the Twins to the Angels on December 9, 2005, for infielder Alexi Casilla.
Romero was one of the Puerto Rican players to agree to play for Puerto Rico in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.
On October 6, 2006, the Angels declined his contract option for 2007, making him a free agent. On December 15, he signed a one-year deal with the Boston Red Sox.[1] However, on June 9, 2007, he was designated for assignment.[2] and then released on June 19, 2007.
On June 23, 2007, Romero signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. Romero finished the 2007 season with a stellar ERA of 1.81 in 56.1 innings pitched. Romero improved a weak Phillies' bullpen plagued by inconsistency and injuries, which posted a 3.17 ERA in the final stretch of September. He also played a crucial role in the Phillies' triumph on the last day of the season, when in a 6–1 victory over the Washington Nationals that capped the team's comeback against the New York Mets, Romero pitched one inning and struck out two. Romero was named the Phillies' top reliever for the postseason. On September 10, 2007, Romero agreed to an multi-year deal to remain with the Phillies.
On October 29, 2008, Romero was the winning pitcher in Game 5 of the 2008 World Series, which clinched the first major championship in the city of Philadelphia in 25-years. Along with his win in Game 3, he became the first Puerto Rican pitcher to win two games in one World Series.[3]
His club option for the 2011 season was declined by the Phillies at the end of the 2010 season, but he agreed to return to the team by signing a one-year contract.[4] He was designated for assignment on June 16.[5] and was released on June 24.[6]
Prior to the 2009 season, Romero was suspended 50-games for testing positive for androstenedione, a performance-enhancing drug banned by MLB. Romero said that he bought a supplement named 6-OXO Extreme from a GNC store at the Cherry Hill MallinCherry Hill, New Jersey, and that he was cleared to take it by two nutritionists. Romero actually tested positive on August 26, 2008, but he took the case to arbitration, allowing him to pitch in the postseason and World Series; after he stopped taking the supplement, he tested negative before the playoffs. Due to the suspension, Romero lost $1.25-million,[7] so he sued the makers of the supplement Ergopharm, Inc, along with The Vitamin Shoppe and GNC for his lost salary and punitive damages.[8] Following the 50-game suspension, Romero returned to the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in May 2009. Romero returned to the Phillies on June 3, 2009.
On June 29, 2011, Romero signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals.[9] Only July 24, 2011, Romero was granted his release by the Nationals.[10]
On July 14, 2011, Romero signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees.[11] He made 11 appearances for the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, facing 55 batter, striking out 10, and allowing four earned runs. He requested and was granted his release from the Yankees on August 8.[12]
