Phillies' David Robertson to Make 2025 MLB Debut, Called Up After July FA Contract

The Philadelphia Phillies have called up relief pitcher David Robertson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley after signing him in July, according to the Associated Press, and optioned Alan Rangel back to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

"To start out with I'd like to just kind of ease him in a little bit, a little lower-leverage, but we might be forced to run him out there in high-leverage, who knows," manager Rob Thomson said regarding Robertson.

The Phillies, desperate to add bullpen help, signed Robertson to a one-year deal that will pay the veteran reliever $5 million for the rest of the 2025 season. A number of other contending teams also showed interest.

"I fielded enough offers that I had to make a decision quickly to come back to Philly," Robertson told reporters in July. "It worked out. This place feels like home to me."

The 40-year-old has had two previous stints in Philadelphia (2019, 2022) and spent the 2024 season with the Texas Rangers, going 3-4 with a 3.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 99 strikeouts in 72 innings. He did blow eight saves in 10 opportunities.

The Phillies won't need him to handle that role, however, after trading for closer Jhoan Durán. In three save opportunities for the Phillies thus far, Durán hasn't allowed a base-runner and has sealed three wins.

The Phillies also will likely continue to rely on Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm in the setup role and will temporarily have José Alvarado back for August and September after he returns from an 80-game banned substance suspension, though he won't be eligible for the postseason.

So Robertson and Tanner Banks will likely be called upon in lower-leverage spots out of the bullpen, or when players like Kerkering and Strahm require a day off. But the Phillies went from having a major need in the bullpen to solid depth—assuming Robertson produces as expected—as they look to win a World Series title.