Phillies call up veteran reliever David Robertson for playoff push

Audio By Carbonatix

Enlarge

The Philadelphia Phillies reunited with veteran reliever David Robertson on Sunday, calling him up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

The 40-year-old signed a one-year, $16 million pro-rated contract on July 20 and went to Lehigh Valley to get ready for his 2025 MLB debut.

Robertson had been a free agent since the conclusion of the 2024 season. He went 3-4 with a 3.00 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 72 innings over 68 relief appearances for the Texas Rangers last season.

Robertson previously played for the Phillies in 2019, but his season was ended prematurely by Tommy John surgery after seven appearances. He rejoined Philadelphia in 2022, making 22 relief appearances with a 2.70 ERA. In the playoffs, he posted a 1.17 ERA over 7 2/3 innings with a save.

At Lehigh Valley, he appeared in six games and was 0-1 with a 10.13 ERA. He gave up six runs on 11 hits, walked one and struck out six over 5 1/3 innings.

The Worcester Red Sox did all the damage against him, scoring three runs in one inning in each of two games on Aug. 1 and 3.

While he has been a closer in the past — he has 177 career saves — the Phillies acquired closer Jhoan Duran from the Minnesota Twins at the trade deadline, putting Robertson in a set-up role.

Robertson also has a 2.91 ERA over 860 relief appearances and one start over 16 big league seasons with seven teams. He has a 66-46 record.

His 861 career appearances are second on the list of active major leaguers, trailing only Kenley Jansen of the Los Angeles Angels.

In a corresponding move, the Phillies optioned right-hander Alan Rangel to Lehigh Valley.

The Phillies enter play Sunday against the Rangers in Arlington, Texas, with a 4 1/2-game lead on the New York Mets in the National League East.

–Field Level Media