The Phillies are bolstering their bullpen for the stretch run by turning to an old friend.
Philadelphia has reached an agreement with free-agent reliever David Robertson for the rest of the season, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. The deal, which has not been confirmed by the club, will pay Robertson $16 million, prorated for the remainder of the season, and is pending a physical.
It will be Robertson’s third stint with the Phillies, for whom he most recently pitched in 2022, after being acquired from the Cubs at the Trade Deadline. He signed with Philadelphia as a free agent before the 2019 season but made just seven appearances with a 5.40 ERA before needing season-ending elbow surgery.
Robertson, 40, had a solid season in 2024, striking out 99 batters while posting a 3.00 ERA over 72 innings with the Rangers. He can close (he has 177 career saves) or work pretty much anywhere in the bullpen. The 16-year veteran owns a career 2.91 ERA and 1,154 strikeouts, which is 11th all time among relievers.
He’ll be an important addition to a Phillies ’pen that has struggled in 2025, posting a 4.33 ERA (23rd in MLB). Robertson should join Orion Kerkering, Matt Strahm and Tanner Banks as the club’s high-leverage arms, with José Alvarado eligible to return from an 80-game suspension Aug. 19. Alvarado will be ineligible for the postseason if the Phillies qualify, though, so adding Robertson (and potentially other relief arms) is critical.
Robertson has prodigious experience in the postseason, owning a 3.04 ERA in 47 1/3 career postseason innings. He had a 1.17 ERA in 7 2/3 innings for the Phillies in the 2022 postseason, including four scoreless innings in the World Series.
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