The Philadelphia Phillies have officially signed right-handed relief pitcher David Robertson, as reported by multiple sources. This move comes as the veteran pitcher had been on the radar of both the New York Mets and Yankees, who were considering bringing him back after his stints with each team.
Robertson’s agreement with the Phillies, pending a physical examination, involves a pro-rated one-year contract valued at approximately $5.5 million, part of a larger $16 million deal, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic.
The former closer was recently evaluated by interested teams during a throwing session in Providence, Rhode Island. Although Robertson has not pitched in the major leagues this season, he showcased his skills last year with the Texas Rangers. In 68 appearances, he maintained a solid 3.00 ERA over 72 innings, achieving 99 strikeouts and recording two saves.
Throughout his extensive 16-year career, much of which was spent with the Yankees, Robertson has built a reputation as a reliable bullpen arm, boasting a career ERA of 2.75 and a WHIP of 1.157 across 501 regular-season games in New York. He also had a brief tenure with the Mets at the start of the 2023 season, demonstrating strong performance with a 2.05 ERA over 44 innings before being traded to the Miami Marlins.
Robertson’s addition to the Phillies comes at a crucial time, particularly for their bullpen, which recently lost closer José Alvarado due to an 80-game suspension related to a positive test for a performance-enhancing substance. Alvarado’s ban will leave him ineligible for postseason play, making Robertson’s experience and skill set invaluable as the Phillies strive for a successful remainder of the season.
This signing not only reinforces Philadelphia’s bullpen but also demonstrates a commitment to securing experienced talent in pursuit of postseason aspirations. The hope is that Robertson can help stabilize the bullpen during a critical period for the team.