The Philadelphia Phillies addressed their beleaguered bullpen on Sunday, reuniting with veteran reliever David Robertson.
The 40-year-old Robertson, who has yet to pitch this season, has signed a deal that will pay him more than $5 million on a prorated one-year, $16 million contract for the rest of 2025, according to ESPNâs Jeff Passan.
The Phillies were among the nine teams in attendance as Robertson threw in front of scouts and front office executives Saturday in Providence, R.I., according to USA Todayâs Bob Nightengale.
Philadelphia entered Sunday ranked 23rd in baseball in bullpen ERA at 4.33. Their most effective reliever, Jose Alvarado, is currently serving an 80-game suspension after violating Major League Baseballâs Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment program.
Robertson last pitched for the Texas Rangers in 2024, recording a 3.00 ERA in 68 appearances spanning 72 innings. He had 99 strikeouts compared to 27 walks with a 1.11 WHIP.
David Robertson Last Pitched for Phillies in 2022
This will be Robertsonâs third stint with Philadelphia. The right-hander signed a two-year, $23 million deal with the Phillies before the 2019 season but underwent Tommy John surgery in August, limiting him to just 6.2 innings.
He then rejoined the club at the 2022 trade deadline as part of a deal with the Cubs that sent minor league pitcher Ben Brown to Chicago.
In 2022 appearances down the stretch, Robertson tallied a 2.70 ERA and six saves in 23.1 innings. He was even more effective in the playoffs, recording a 1.17 ERA in eight outings. The Phillies reached the World Series and lost in six games to the Houston Astros.
For his career, Robertson owns a 2.91 ERA and 177 saves. Robertson was an All-Star in 2011 with the New York Yankees, the first of eight different teams with whom heâs pitched.
Phillies Have Long Been Interested in Reliever
The Phillies initially checked in with Robertson in May, around the same time that Alvarado was suspended. Talks didnât get very far, but the Phillies remained a top suitor given their relief struggles.
Former All-Star Jordan Romano has struggled immensely in his first season in Philadelphia, turning in a 6.88 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 39 appearances.
Robertson will join right-hander Orion Kerkering and lefties Matt Strahm and Tanner Banks as the teamâs high-leverage arms ahead of the July 31 trade deadline.
Alvarado, who has a 2.70 ERA and is 7-for-7 in save opportunities, is eligible to return in August but cannot pitch in the postseason.
The Phillies are 56-43 and hold a half-game lead for first place in the National League East.
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