Phillies' David Robertson: Collects hold in return
Rotowire
Robertson picked up a hold in Monday's 4-1 victory over the Reds, allowing one hit and one walk in a scoreless inning with one strikeout.
The grizzled veteran averaged 90.7 mph on his cutter, down 2.6 mph from 2024, in his first big-league appearance this season after joining the Phillies on Sunday. Robertson tallied his 197th career hold, as he worked the eighth inning to set up Orion Kerkering for the save. The 40-year-old will likely work as a bridge to Kerkering and Jhoan Duran, so Robertson is worthy of consideration in leagues that value holds.
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Phillies' David Robertson: Joining big club
Rotowire
The Phillies recalled Robertson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.
Robertson agreed to a one-year deal with Philadelphia on July 20 and agreed to report to Triple-A as part of his ramp-up process. Over five outings with Lehigh Valley, the veteran righty allowed six earned runs on 11 hits over 5.1 frames, but he struck out three over 1.2 scoreless innings in his last two appearances. Trade-deadline acquisition Jhoan Duran is locked in as the team's new closer, but Robertson could find a spot as part of the bridge to the ninth inning.
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Phillies' David Robertson: Expected to join big club Sunday
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Manager Rob Thomson said Friday that he expects Robertson to join the active roster Sunday, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports.
Robertson reported to Triple-A Lehigh Valley after signing a one-year deal with the Phillies on July 21. He's had mixed results with the IronPigs, surrendering three runs in one inning during two of his six minor-league outings while going without an earned run allowed during his other four. Despite his inconsistent performance, the 40-year-old veteran will nab a spot in Philadelphia's bullpen and is likely ticketed for a middle-relief role.
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Phillies' David Robertson: Reporting to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Phillies signed Robertson to a one-year contract Monday and optioned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, Robertson's deal is worth a prorated $16 million, so the veteran right-hander will take home approximately $6 million in salary. The Phillies, meanwhile, will be on the hook for approximately $12 million, with that figure also accounting for a tax they must pay on every dollar for being over the fourth luxury-tax threshold. Because Robertson had been unsigned since the winter, he'll accept an optional assignment to Triple-A, where he'll likely make multiple appearances as part of his ramp-up process before presumably joining the big club when he's first eligible Aug. 5. After notching 35 holds and two saves while pitching to a 3.00 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 72 innings with the Rangers in 2024, the 40-year-old Robertson should eventually get the chance to work his way into a late-inning role for Philadelphia. Since Jose Alvarado was handed an 80-game suspension May 18, the Phillies have been taking a committee approach at closer, with Matt Strahm (four saves), Jordan Romano (four) and Orion Kerkering (two) having seen most of those opportunities.
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Phillies' David Robertson: Strikes deal with Philadelphia
Rotowire
Robertson and the Phillies agreed on a one-year, $5 million contract Sunday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Robertson has remained a free agent to this point in 2025, but after holding a throwing showcase in Rhode Island on Saturday, he has now secured a contract. The 40-year-old right-hander will be heading into his third stint with Philadelphia during his robust 16-year major-league career, most recently pitching for the team in 2022. Despite his advanced age, Robertson still proved to be an excellent late-inning weapon for the Rangers in 2024, posting a 3.00 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 99 strikeouts over 72 innings. He could eventually factor into the mix for saves in the unsettled Philadelphia bullpen, with manager Rob Thomson having taken a committee approach at closer since Jose Alvarado received an 80-game suspension May 18.
David Robertson: Throwing for teams, could sign soon
Rotowire
Robertson is expected to hold throwing sessions in front of representatives from multiple teams within the next week, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
Though he turned 40 in April and hasn't pitched in a game since last September, Robertson continues to garner plenty of interest from teams after he compiled a 3.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 99:27 K:BB in 72 innings while collecting two saves and 35 holds in 68 appearances for the Rangers a season ago. Robertson declined a $7 million player option in November to become a free agent, and with clubs thus far failing to meet his asking price in free agency, the veteran right-hander has elected to wait for the right opportunity. According to Sammon, the Yankees and Mets are among the teams who have recently checked in with Robertson, and his market could grow bigger once other prominent relievers are dealt elsewhere leading up the July 31 trade deadline.
Robertson remains one of the more prominent free agents as Opening Day approaches.
Robertson is still without a home for the 2025 season, although he is coming off of a 2024 campaign in which he compiled a 3.00 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 99 strikeouts, 35 holds and two saves over 72 innings in 68 appearances with the Rangers. The 39-year-old has been one of the most consistent relievers in baseball throughout his 17-year major-league career, and he'll likely find a landing spot sooner rather than later as Opening Day is less than a week away.
Robertson declined his $7 million mutual option for 2025 on Saturday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
With a 3.00 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over 72 innings, Robertson was one of the Rangers' most reliable high-leverage bullpen arms in 2024. He will turn 40 years old in April, so a multi-year deal likely isn't in the cards for him in free agency, but his consistency and experience make him an attractive target for teams looking to contend for a World Series title in 2025.
Robertson picked up the save Thursday against the White Sox, striking out two batters over two perfect innings.
With Kirby Yates having pitched in three straight games, Robertson stayed on the mound for the ninth inning Thursday to land his second save of the campaign. Robertson has been a solid setup man for the Rangers this season, logging 21 holds in 44.2 innings with a 3.02 ERA, a 0.92 WHIP and a 66:13 K:BB.
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