David Robertson #30 of the Philadelphia Phillies
Could the Phillies Reunite with David Robertson?
As Opening Day approaches, veteran reliever David Robertson remains a free agent, an unexpected development for a pitcher with his resume. While Robertson is nearing his 40th birthday and has seen his velocity dip, his effectiveness on the mound is undeniable.
After establishing himself as a reliable arm with the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox, Robertson transitioned to the National League in 2019, signing with the Philadelphia Phillies. Unfortunately, his first stint with the club was short-lived, as he was limited to just seven appearances before undergoing Tommy John surgery.
However, with the increasing number of elbow injuries across MLB and the fact that Robertson has been healthy for six years since his surgery, his past injury history shouldn’t be a major concern.
Robertson returned to Philadelphia in 2022, playing a key role in the Phillies’ National League pennant run. In 22 regular-season games, he posted a 2.70 ERA with six saves, and he shined in the postseason, recording a 1.17 ERA over 7 2/3 innings, including a crucial save.
Most recently, Robertson spent time with the Texas Rangers, where he continued to showcase his reliability in high-leverage situations. Despite a slight dip in velocity, he still managed a 3.00 ERA and a 1.111 WHIP over 72 innings. While he may no longer be a dominant strikeout artist, his ability to navigate tough situations and his veteran presence make him an intriguing option for teams looking to solidify their bullpen.
The Phillies’ bullpen could certainly benefit from a seasoned arm like Robertson’s. Questions remain about their current relief corps—Jordan Romano, once a dominant closer, struggled in 2023, and while Orion Kerkering has promising stuff, he could learn a lot from a veteran like Robertson.
While it remains unclear where Robertson will land, one thing is certain: if he signs, it will likely be with a contender. A return to Philadelphia wouldn’t just make sense—it could be the missing piece in the Phillies’ bullpen puzzle.
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