In response to José Alvarado’s 80-game suspension, the Philadelphia Phillies may be considering bringing back a familiar face to bolster their bullpen.
According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, the Phillies have reached out to veteran reliever David Robertson. While discussions haven’t progressed significantly, Feinsand notes that a reunion wouldn’t be surprising, as Robertson remains a free agent.
Robertson, 40, is a 16-year MLB veteran and a former All-Star (2011 with the Yankees). He’s already had two stints with the Phillies — once in 2019 and again in 2022, when the team advanced to the World Series.
Last season, Robertson pitched for the Texas Rangers, appearing in 68 games with a 3.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and an impressive 12.4 strikeouts per nine innings. He still brings solid velocity, averaging 93.3 mph on his signature cutter, per FanGraphs.
This potential move could help stabilize Philadelphia’s bullpen following Alvarado’s suspension for a PED violation, which keeps him out until late August. With the Phillies currently leading the NL East at 29-18 — just half a game ahead of the Mets even a modest bullpen upgrade could prove important. A third stint in Philly might also offer Robertson a chance to make a stronger impression than in his previous runs with the team.
