BUFFALO, N.Y. -- For six weeks, Jordan Romano had a new favourite team.

When the Rule 5 Draft got underway in December, the 25-year-old right-hander expected little. His 2018 season in Double-A had ups and downs -- in April, May and July, he posted a combined 1.71 ERA over 79 innings, and between June and August, he put up a 7.11 mark in 63 1/3 frames -- but just three picks into the selection process, he heard his name called by the White Sox.

Romano was then immediately traded to the Rangers, and after five seasons in the Blue Jays organization -- four on the field after Tommy John surgery in spring 2015 -- the native of Markham, Ontario, was headed to a new home, however temporary.

“I grew up a Jays fan -- I only live 20-30 minutes from the [Rogers Centre] -- but it also meant a lot to have the Rangers take a chance on me,” Romano said. “They put me on the 40-man [roster], gave me a chance to break with the team and that meant a lot to me. The Rangers trusted me; I became a Rangers fan.”

Though Romano thought he might have seen some action in the Rule 5 Draft a year earlier, when Toronto failed to protect him following a successful season at Class A Advanced Dunedin -- where his 3.39 ERA over 138 innings with 54 walks and 138 strikeouts landed him at No. 18 on the Blue Jays’ Top Prospects list -- he was surprised by the move 12 months later.

Beyond two offseason trips to Arlington, not much changed for Romano until he reported to Spring Training.

“It was different being a Rule 5 guy,” he said. “Last year, I was in big league camp with the Blue Jays, and I knew that if I didn’t make the team, I was going to Double-A. But [with Texas], it was like if I didn’t make it, I go to another organization. It was definitely a lot of pressure. And looking at their staff, I knew I had to pitch extremely well to make it, and I just didn’t make the cut.”

In 9 1/3 Cactus League innings over seven spring appearances with the Rangers, Romano posted a 3.86 ERA with five walks and six strikeouts. Though he didn’t break camp with the club and was subsequently returned to the Blue Jays organization, Romano left feeling he had done everything he could.

“Looking back, I felt like I pitched pretty well over there and showed what I could do,” Romano said. “So I’m happy with how everything went when I was with them. Obviously I would have been happier if I would have made the team, but I’m happy I had a productive Spring Training, and I’m ready to go for this year now.”

With the Rangers, Romano spent all of his time in the bullpen, using only his mid-90s fastball and power slider. In each of his final two spring outings, he threw two innings. The Canadian pitcher expects to be stretched out to three frames on Saturday, in his first appearance with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, but from there he’s not sure what the future holds.

“I’ve started the past three years, but I was in the bullpen down in Texas, and I feel my stuff played up a bit,” Romano said. “So I feel more comfortable as a starter, but I don’t know if I’m more valuable as a reliever. We’re going to find out. In the next probably six weeks, I’m going to have a concrete role -- starter or reliever. I just want to be in the best position to help the big league team.”

Though he didn’t throw his changeup throughout the spring, Romano did use his “third-best pitch” when he rejoined the Blue Jays in Dunedin ahead of the regular season, as well as in a simulated game in Buffalo earlier this week.

“Honestly, my fastball and my slider are my two best pitches, so I’m more comfortable with them,” Romano said. “But this year, I feel comfortable throwing my changeup for strikes.”

Embracing familiarity in Buffalo and a chance to play close to home, Romano is excited for the year ahead.

“Texas treated me great and everyone embraced me, but I’ve been [with the Blue Jays organization] since 2014,” he said. “I know the staff, all the guys I’ve been playing with for five years; it’s definitely more comfortable. And my house is only two hours away, so that’s a nice change. My parents [Joe and Cynthia] will come watch all the time.

“And at the end of the day, my goal is to pitch in the Major Leagues, so it didn’t matter what team it was for. But definitely I’d like to make my debut in my hometown, because that would be a little bit sweeter.”