You know that old baseball saying: You can’t go home again?
David Robertson never got that memo.
For the third time in six years, the Phillies are bringing back the veteran right-hander, agreeing to a deal that — if nothing else — proves the Phillies’ bullpen hotline still works just fine in Birmingham, Alabama.
The club hasn’t confirmed the move, but sources tell MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand and The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal that Robertson will join the Phillies for the stretch run, pending a physical. The deal will pay him a prorated portion of $16 million — roughly $6 million for the remainder of the season.
And yes, that’s a big number. But this isn’t just any deadline move. This is Dave Dombrowski crossing one big need off the bullpen shopping list, while keeping the farm system closed for renovations.
Let’s rewind this storyline a bit.
Third time’s a charm?
This is Robertson’s third tour of duty with the Phillies. The first was a well-intentioned but ill-fated two-year, $23 million contract signed before the 2019 season. He pitched all of 6 2/3 innings before undergoing Tommy John surgery.
The second time? Much better. The Phillies sent prospect Ben Brown to the Cubs in 2022 to rent Robertson for the pennant race. He responded by stabilizing the back end of the bullpen, racking up six saves and helping the club surge to the World Series.
Now, here he comes again, and just in time. The Phillies, already without José Alvarado due to an 80-game PED suspension that makes him ineligible for October, had been openly searching for high-leverage help. And Robertson? He’s basically built for that.
What’s left in the tank?
Robertson, now 40, hasn’t pitched in the majors this year. But last season in Texas, he looked like … well, David Robertson. He struck out 99 hitters in 72 innings, posted a 3.00 ERA, and filled the setup role behind Kirby Yates like he was born to do it.
He’s not just a "could help" guy — he’s a "definitely will help" guy.
Since returning from Tommy John in 2021, Robertson has quietly put together 213 innings of 2.92 ERA baseball across 200 appearances. He’s saved games. He’s held leads. He’s pitched under the lights in October. He’s done just about everything but sell popcorn in the concourse.
And if the Phillies make it back to October? Robertson has been there, too — 42 postseason appearances, a 3.04 ERA, and the sort of nerves you’d expect from a guy who once closed games for Mariano Rivera’s Yankees.
Why it matters
This move doesn’t just patch a bullpen. It buys time. It gives the Phillies flexibility to chase another impact arm via trade — without having to subtract from a farm system already being stretched thin.
Robertson’s signing is the type of move that flies under the radar until the leaves change — and the games start feeling like they matter just a little more.
So yes, David Robertson is a Phillie again. For the third time.
The Phillies will likely announce the signing, and the corresponding roster move, on Monday.
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