The Philadelphia Phillies are signing right-handed relief pitcher David Robertson, according to multiple reports.
The Mets and Yankees were reported to be among the teams that were at least considering a reunion with the veteran, who spent time in both Queens and The Bronx.
Robertson's deal with Philadelphia, which is pending a physical, will pay Robertson around $5.5 million on a pro-rated, one-year, $16 million contract, according to The Athletic’s Matt Gelb.
The two New York clubs were among those who had “at least recently looked into” signing the 40-year-old ahead of Robertson holding a throwing session for interested teams on Saturday in Providence, Rhode Island, according to The Athletic.
Robertson, who has not pitched in the majors this season, spent last season with the Texas Rangers, appearing in 68 games while posting a 3.00 ERA and 1.111 WHIP in 72 innings. He had 99 strikeouts to 27 walks with two saves.
The well-traveled back-end of the bullpen arm spent the bulk of his 16-year career with the Yankees, posting a 2.75 ERA and 1.157 WHIP in 501 regular-season games in pinstripes while serving primarily as a setup man.
Robertson signed with the Mets ahead of the 2023 season and posted a 2.05 ERA and 1.000 WHIP in 44 innings (40 games) before being dealt to the Miami Marlins ahead of the trade deadline.
Now he will return to the NL East and bolster a Phillies bullpen that lost closer José Alvarado to an 80-game suspension after he tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Alvarado, suspended in late May, will return from the unpaid ban in August, but will not be eligible to pitch in the postseason.
