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Phillies to Sign Career 2.91 ERA Veteran Reliever to $5.5 Million Deal

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matthew Sullivan | Last updated Jul 20, 2025 7:15 PM ET

The Philadelphia Phillies have had bullpen issues all season long. With the struggles of Jordan Romano, and the constant rotation at the bottom of the bullpen, the issue has persisted since the beginning of the year for the Phillies.

But the Phillies are beginning to address that issue. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Phillies are set to sign David Robertson to a one-year deal for the remainder of the 2025 MLB season.

The $5.5 million deal, prorated at $16 million, is pending a physical before it becomes official. Robertson will cost the Phillies $12 million total, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic in Rosenthal's piece.

Robertson has previously spent time with the Phillies, both in 2019 and in 2022. His first stint lasted just seven appearances, and he had a 5.40 ERA, six strikeouts, and six walks in 6.2 innings.

But, in 2022, he was a solid piece of the bullpen after being picked up at the trade deadline in a deal with the Chicago Cubs. Robertson had a 2.70 ERA in 22 appearances with the Phillies during the regular season.

And in the postseason in 2022, during the Phillies' run to the World Series, Robertson had a 1.17 ERA in eight appearances, with one save, 11 strikeouts, and five walks in 7.2 innings pitched.

In his 16-year MLB career, which will become 17 seasons once he makes his 2025 debut for the Phillies this season, he has a very strong 2.91 ERA, 177 saves, and 1,154 strikeouts in 861 appearances.

Robertson is a much-needed right-handed reliever for the bullpen, and will join the Phillies after a disappointing series against the Los Angeles Angels coming out of the All-Star break.

With the MLB trade deadline less than two weeks away, the Phillies added Robertson to the bullpen. While more moves could still be on the way, the veteran righthander is a key addition for a bullpen in dire need of an upgrade.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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