It took veteran David Robertson a while to get back to the majors, mostly by choice, but he’s here now. After sitting out for almost the first four months of the season, waiting for a free agent deal he liked, the 40-year-old right-hander is now back in the Philadelphia Phillies’ bullpen after being recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
The Phillies announced the roster move ahead of Sunday’s series finale with the Texas Rangers, as was expected. With Robertson joining the 26-man roster, right-hander Alan Rangel was optioned back to Lehigh Valley.
Prior to today’s game against the Texas Rangers, the Phillies recalled RHP David Robertson from Lehigh Valley (AAA). To make room on the 26-man roster, RHP Alan Rangel was optioned to Lehigh Valley.
Robertson will wear No. 30.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 10, 2025
David Robertson joins Phillies bullpen for third time
The Phillies signed Robertson, who’s on his third stint with the team, to a prorated $16 million deal on July 21. He needed time to build up in the minors in what was essentially an accelerated spring training. First eligible to be recalled on Aug. 5, Robertson wasn’t quite ready to go and required a little extra time to get up to game speed.
He threw 5 1/3 innings over six appearances with the IronPigs, and while he allowed six runs, those all came in a pair of three-run outings. After those bumpy innings, Robertson made a couple of clean appearances this week on back-to-back days.
It was the final hurdle he had to pass before being ready to join the big club. He only faced one batter in his last outing, striking out New York Yankees top prospect Spencer Jones. He hit 92.2 mph with the cutter and 92.6 mph with the sinker.
Robertson pitched to a 3.00 ERA in 72 innings in the Rangers’ bullpen last season. The last time he was with the Phillies before that was in 2022. They acquired him at the trade deadline that year, and he helped them make the run to the World Series. Robertson had a 2.70 ERA in 23 1/3 regular season innings and a 1.17 ERA in 7 2/3 postseason innings in 2022.
Previously, he had also been in Philadelphia in 2019 but only threw 6 2/3 innings before being shutdown to have Tommy John surgery.
Phillies hope David Robertson can help bring more playoff success
Robertson will add an experienced veteran presence to the Phillies’ relief corps. He has pitched in nine different postseasons dating back to when he was part of the Yankees team that beat the Phillies in the 2009 World Series. He has a 3.04 ERA in 47 1/3 career playoff innings.
The Phillies are hoping Robertson can help them to playoff success again this season. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski spoke about that aspect when they made the signing, per MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki.
“We know [Robertson] can handle pennant races; we know he can handle postseason play,” Dombrowski said, per Zolecki. “We’re excited to get him.”
Rangel, 27, was up with the Phillies for the third time this season. He made three relief appearances in this last stint, allowing one run with three strikeouts in three innings of work. He has a 2.45 ERA in 11 total MLB innings in 2025. Pitching as a starter for the IronPigs this year, Rangel has a 4.75 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 85 1/3 innings.
No Comment! Be the first one.