David Robertson signs with Phillies; Will Begin in Triple-A

Sixteen-year Major League Baseball veteran David Robertson has signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. Robertson, 40, returns to baseball after taking a brief hiatus. The right-handed reliever last pitched for the Texas Rangers in 2024.

He's back, back again

The Phillies have signed RHP David Robertson to a one-year contract. Robertson has been optioned to Lehigh Valley (AAA). pic.twitter.com/FA2a8lrv9O

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 21, 2025

Robertson inked a one-year deal with the Phillies on July 20, as first reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Robertson, who is self-represented, agreed to start his third tenure with the organization in Triple-A with the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. This gives Robertson a chance to brush off any rust before joining the big-league locker room, as his most recent MLB appearance was on Sept. 29, 2024 with the Texas Rangers.

The fact that Robertson was unsigned puzzled baseball fans this year, as despite his age, Robertson has been a very good reliever over the last three years. His career numbers are also very good: a 66-46 win-loss record, a 2.91 career ERA, an All-Star appearance in 2011, and 1154 career strikeouts in 876 2/3 innings.

David Robertson 2023 & 2024:

137.1 IP, 106 H, 3.01 ERA, 3.08 FIP, 52 BB, 177 K, 1.15 WHIP

Opponents: .211/.295/.317

This is a guy who’s been legitimately good the last two years. It’s fair to be skeptical given he’s 40, but this is a good move on paper. pic.twitter.com/ARlDJrzv8P

— The Good Phight (@TheGoodPhight) July 20, 2025

Robertson was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 17th round of the 2006 MLB Draft out of the University of Alabama. He made his MLB debut in 2008 and was a key contributor on the Yankees World Series-winning team in 2009. In 2015, Robertson was lured away from the Bronx to the South Side of Chicago, as he signed a four-year, $46 million contract with the Chicago White Sox.

However, Robertson was not away from New York for very long. The White Sox dealt Robertson back to the Yankees in 2017 at the Trade Deadline. After his contract expired in 2019, he had his first of now three stints with the Phillies and signed a two-year, $23 million contract. However, injuries held him to just 6 2/3 innings in 2019 and forced him to miss the entire 2020 season.

In 2021, Robertson threw 12 innings for the Tampa Bay Rays to middling results and it seemed like his time in MLB was running out. Robertson then silenced his critics and had a fantastic start to 2022 with the Chicago Cubs. Around that year’s deadline, Robertson rejoined this Phillies. His second go in the City of Brotherly Love was a much more positive one. Robertson had a 2.70 ERA in the second half of the year for Philadelphia and helped them win the 2022 National League pennant.

After the season, Robertson capitalized on his success in a contract year once again. In free agency, he joined the New York Mets on a one-year deal worth $10 million. Despite his individual success in Queens, the Mets as a team underwhelmed, and Robertson was traded to the Miami Marlins at the deadline.

But once again in the offseason, Robertson got a bag. This time it was with the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers for $11.5 million. In 2024, at 39 years-old, Robertson pitched a career high 72 innings to the tune of a 3.00 ERA and 128 ERA+.

Now, Robertson finds himself back in Philly, hoping that the third time really is the charm. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Robertson will be paid over $5 million the remainder of the season on his deal, which is for a prorated $16 million. Robertson’s career earnings are over $100 million, which is excellent for a career reliever, especially one who does not pay any agent fees. 

Right-handed reliever David Robertson and the Philadelphia Phillies are in agreement on a one-year deal, as @Ken_Rosenthal reported. Robertson will receive more than $5 million for the rest of the season on his deal, which is for a prorated $16 million. Phillies need RP badly.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 20, 2025

The Phillies need bullpen help desperately. They rank 25th in MLB in terms of bullpen ERA with a 4.30. They also do not have a reliever with more than eight saves, as offseason acquisition Jordan Romano has struggled mightily and Jose Alvarado, the team’s Opening Day closer, was suspended for 80 games without pay on May 18 for PED usage. The Phillies currently lead the NL East by a half-a-game over the Mets and hold serious World Series aspirations.

Even though the signing looks good on paper, Robertson is still 40. With the trade deadline 10 days away, Phillies’ General Manager Dave Dombrowski is living up to his aggressive reputation by reuniting with Robertson and by no means do the Phillies look like they are close to being done making moves.

WBN MLB: /news/category/mlb

Photo: Philadelphia Phillies’ David Robertson during a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)