ARLINGTON — The Phillies added another reinforcement to their bullpen on Sunday — and they have David Robertson‘s tennis game (or lack thereof) to thank for it.
This year marked the first time since 2006 — Robertson’s final year at the University of Alabama — that he wasn’t on a professional baseball roster to begin a season. So, along with spending more time with his family, playing some golf and working on his farm, Robertson turned to tennis to help stay active and fill some of that competitive void.
“As the months started to tick by and I couldn’t win in any of my tennis matches, I started to think, ‘Well, I better go try to do baseball again,'” Robertson said. “I was getting that itch to win at something again.”
The Phillies brought in the 40-year-old Robertson to do exactly that: Win.
Looking to upgrade the bullpen in their pursuit of a World Series title, the Phils signed Robertson on July 21 to a prorated $16 million contract for the remainder of the season. They sent him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley for a three-week ramp-up before recalling him and adding him to the active roster ahead of Sunday’s series finale against the Rangers at Globe Life Field.
“I’m very excited to be back,” Robertson said. “This is the only level I’ve ever known for the past 20 years, so I’m ready to step back in between the lines and see if I can help this team out.”
Robertson is just the latest boost for a much-improved ‘pen of late.
Shortly after signing Robertson for his third stint with the club, the Phils acquired closer Jhoan Duran from the Twins. He has started his Phillies tenure by converting each of his first three save opportunities in 1-2-3 fashion.
The incumbent high-leverage options have also taken a major step forward. Matt Strahm has a 1.98 ERA since the start of July. Orion Kerkering has a 1.67 ERA since the start of May. Tanner Banks has a 1.77 ERA over his past 21 appearances.
“It’s really changed over a short period of time,” manager Rob Thomson said of the bullpen. “I think we’ve added some real quality, and there’s a lot of options out there to go to.”
Added Robertson: “From what I’ve seen watching the games recently, it’s been electric. Those guys are doing unbelievable.”
The Phillies are hoping Robertson can become another high-leverage option down the stretch, though Thomson said he hopes to ease him into some lower-leverage situations initially just to help him settle back in.
“I’ll just have to find a spot where I fit in there and work my way up into the ‘pen to figure out how I can help us win,” Robertson said. “I don’t really care when I pitch, I’ve always said that. So whatever it takes, whenever they want to put me in, I’ll give it everything I got.”
Robertson is hoping the third time is the charm with the Phillies.
His first stint with the Phillies came when he signed a two-year contract before the 2019 season, but he made only seven appearances with a 5.40 ERA before needing season-ending right elbow surgery that also sidelined him for the entire ’20 campaign. He rejoined the club at the 2022 Trade Deadline and helped them win the NL pennant.
Robertson had a 1.17 ERA over 7 2/3 innings in the 2022 postseason, including four scoreless innings in the World Series. He has a 3.04 ERA in 47 1/3 innings in his postseason career.
“He’s a calming influence,” Thomson said. “He’s been through it before — World Series, playoff runs. He’s a good guy for the younger guys to kind of lean on and learn from.”
And it just so happens that the bullpen is the one place where the Phillies have had quite a bit of turnover since Robertson’s last stint with the club. While Alvarado is the lone ‘pen holdover from 2022, the majority of Philadelphia’s regular lineup and almost the entire starting rotation consists of familiar faces.
“It feels like I didn’t really leave. It’s great to come back in here and know more than half the team,” Robertson said. “This place feels like home. We had a good run in ’22, and then [for] a few years I disappeared, and now I’m back. And I’m happy to be back here in Philly.”
