Nov 3, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher David Robertson (30) throws a pitch against the Houston Astros during the eighth inning in game five of the 2022 World Series at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Guess who's back? Back again. D-Rob's back. Tell a friend.
After losing a series to the Los Angeles Angels this weekend, a series in which no starter made it through five innings, thus taxing their bullpen, the Phillies decided to call on an old friend to help that beleaguered relief corps.
According to multiple reports, the Phillies will be bringing 40-year-old reliever David Robertson back for a third time. Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic was first to report the news.
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Robertson signed with the Phillies for the remainder of the 2025 season at a pro-rated contract that over a full season would have been worth $16 million.
Robertson’s deal with the Phillies will pay him $16 million, prorated for the remainder of the season, per source.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 20, 2025
Some quick math means the Phillies will pay him roughly $5.5 million for the remainder of the season. However, the Phillies will be above the fourth tax threshold, which means they must pay a 110% tax, so the entire cost for the team will be about $12 million.
The Phillies have not announced the signing yet, as it is pending a physical. They have an opening on their 40-man roster for Robertson, but would have to make a corresponding roster move from the major league roster once the deal is official.
Robertson threw for teams in Providence, R.I. on Saturday. According to Rosenthal, both the New York Mets and the New York Yankees were interested in Robertson as well, but the Phillies won out for his services.
Robertson last pitched for the Texas Rangers in 2024 and had a solid season, hurling 72 innings and finishing with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.111 WHIP. He also struck out 12.4 batter per nine, which means there's still some life in his pitches.
Robertson originally signed with the Phillies in 2019, but barely played with the team over two seasons because he needed Tommy John surgery.
In 2022, the Phillies acquired him at the trade deadline from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for pitcher Ben Brown.
Robertson was decent for the Phillies in 2022, with a 2.70 ERA in 23 1/3 innings over the final two months of the regular season. He didn't give up many hits (16), but his walks (also 16) were a bit too frequent. He did strike out 30 batters.
He pitched in eight playoff games for the Phillies in 2022, missing the NLDS against Atlanta after hurting his calf during the celebration of beating St. Louis in the Wild Card series.
For the third time, the Phillies have acquired David Robertson.pic.twitter.com/OhqvBl60GM
In those eight games, Robertson allowed just one run on six hits in 7 2/3 innings, including four scoreless innings in the World Series. He struck out 11 in the 2022 postseason.
