Houston left-hander Seth Romero, projected to begin season as No. 2 starter in rotation, has been suspended indefinitely for conduct detrimental to the team, coach Todd Whitting said Tuesday night.
Romero went 7-4 with a conference-leading 1.94 ERA and seven saves last season, spending part of the year in the bullpen before becoming one of the Cougars' most effective starters down the stretch. The 6-3 sophomore from West Columbia threw a one-hitter in a postseason loss to Louisiana Lafayette in the Houston Regional.
In 2014, Romero was named the American Athletic Conference rookie of the year and freshman All-American.
Freshman right-hander Mitch Ullom and juniors John King and Marshall Kasowski are the likely candidates for the Saturday and Sunday rotation spots for this weekend's season-opening three-game series against Villanova at Schroeder Park.
Houston had seven players selected to All-AAC teams, including pitcher Seth Romero, who was named the American Athletic Conference's Rookie of the Year. UH is the No. 1 seed in the AAC tournament in Cincinnati.