The Philadelphia Phillies recalled 40-year-old reliever David Robertson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday, August 10, before their series finale against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field, three weeks after he signed a prorated $16 million contract with the team on July 21. To open a roster spot, right-hander Alan Rangel was optioned to Triple-A.
Robertson made six relief appearances for Lehigh Valley, pitching 5⅓ innings with a 10.13 ERA, allowing 11 hits and six runs, striking out six and walking one. Four of those outings were scoreless, and he appeared in games on consecutive days on August 6 and 7.
The 2025 season is his first since 2006, his final year at the University of Alabama, in which he did not begin the year on a professional baseball roster. During that time, he spent more time with his family, played golf, worked on his farm, and played tennis, later saying that his inability to win tennis matches contributed to his decision to return to baseball.
Robertson pitched for the Texas Rangers in 2024, appearing in 68 games with a 3-4 record and a 3.00 ERA, striking out 99 and walking 27 in 72 innings. After the season, he declined his end of a mutual option with the Rangers, accepted a $1.5 million buyout, and entered free agency. He negotiated with teams in the fall but did not sign, remaining out of baseball until July 2025.
This is Robertson’s third stint with the Phillies. He first joined the team before the 2019 season, making seven appearances with a 5.40 ERA before undergoing season-ending right elbow surgery that also kept him out for 2020. He returned in 2022 after a trade from the Chicago Cubs and was part of the team’s run to the National League pennant. In the 2022 postseason, he pitched 7⅔ innings with a 1.17 ERA, including four scoreless innings in the World Series. Over his 16-year major league career, Robertson has appeared in 861 games, all but one as a reliever, with a 2.91 ERA, and has a 3.04 ERA in 47⅓ postseason innings.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Robertson will likely begin in lower-leverage situations but could be used in high-leverage spots if necessary, adding that he is a calming influence with World Series and playoff experience and someone younger players can learn from.
The Phillies’ bullpen has changed significantly since Robertson’s last stint in 2022, with José Alvarado the only reliever remaining from that group. Alvarado is currently serving a suspension for using a performance-enhancing drug and will be eligible to return on August 19. Between May 18 and July 31, the bullpen ranked 18th in Major League Baseball with a 4.34 ERA, but since the start of August, it has ranked sixth with a 2.18 ERA.
The group has been strengthened by the acquisition of closer Jhoan Duran from the Minnesota Twins, who has converted his first three save opportunities for Philadelphia in order. Matt Strahm has a 1.98 ERA since the start of July, Orion Kerkering a 1.67 ERA since the start of May, and Tanner Banks a 1.77 ERA over his last 21 appearances.
Sportsbook odds have moved in response to the bullpen changes. ESPN lists the Phillies at +700 to win the World Series, BetMGM has shortened their price from +1200 before the season to +1100, Covers lists them at +1,000, PointsBet has them near +900, and Caesars’ preseason +1200 matches the current mid-tier range. For the National League pennant, BetMGM lists the Phillies second to the Dodgers at +340, improving from +600 before the season. In-game lines, FanDuel priced the Phillies at −154 for Tuesday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds after the Reds opened as slight favorites for Monday’s series opener. Sportsbooks have cited the addition of Duran, Alvarado’s upcoming return, and the recall of Robertson as factors in these movements.
Robertson now joins a bullpen that also includes Jordan Romano, Max Lazar, and Banks. When Alvarado returns and starter Aaron Nola comes off the injured list, roster changes will be required; Lazar has minor league options, while Romano and Joe Ross have both struggled recently.
Robertson rejoined the Phillies in Texas, where he was greeted by teammates, including Bryce Harper. He said much of the roster remains from 2022, that returning feels like coming home, and that he is ready to pitch in any role the team needs, giving full effort whenever called upon.
