Trusted Local News

David Robertson expected to rejoin Phillies Sunday

David Robertson has been ramping up with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. (Cheryl Pursell)

  • Phillies

Right-handed pitcher David Robertson is potentially days away from making his Phillies debut... again.

Manager Rob Thomson told the media Friday in Arlington that pitching in back-to-back games – which he did on Wednesday and Thursday – was the last item on Robertson's list, and that if Robertson feels good, he will be activated on Sunday.

 

Robertson, 40, debuted in 2008 and has 16 major league seasons under his belt. His two previous stints with the Phillies came in 2019 (although he only pitched in seven games before getting hurt) and in 2022, when the Phillies picked him up at the deadline and he pitched four scoreless innings in the World Series. 

Robertson spent the majority of this season as a free agent before the Phillies signed him on July 21 to a prorated $16 million contract for the remainder of this season. He was immediately optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he has spent the past two and a half weeks rebuilding his arm strength. 

Initially, Robertson told media he would need three or four appearances in the minors before he faced big-league competition; however, in six appearances with the IronPigs, he has a 10.13 ERA. 

That obviously isn't ideal, but Robertson's fastball – which sat at around 88-90 mph before the Phillies signed him – topped out at 94 mph in Wednesday's game. That's likely what the Phillies are looking at.

Thursday, Robertson struck out Spencer Jones, the Yankees' top prospect and Robertson's only batter faced:

If Robertson does indeed rejoin the Phillies on Sunday, he will face his club from last year. Robertson spent 2024 with the Texas Rangers and posted a 3.00 ERA across 68 games and 72 innings of work.

So, to put it bluntly, things are about to get very interesting with the Phillies' pitching staff. Robertson will most likely join the team on Sunday. José Alvarado is eligible to return from his suspension on Aug. 19. Aaron Nola just made his second rehab start for the IronPigs.

Tanner Banks, Alan Rangel and Max Lazar all have options remaining, and then there's always players who are candidates to be DFA'd. 

Either way, the room is about to get very crowded, and someone (well, multiple someones) will have to go.

Read More Phillies Content At On Pattison

  1. Adley Rutschman could be interesting alternative to J.T. Realmuto for Phillies this offseason
  2. José Alvarado has apologized and 'flushed the toilet,' but postseason ban looms over return to Phillies
  3. Dan Baker says Citizens Bank Park is 'happy place,' hoping to work for 'at least' 7 more seasons
  4. 'I still feel incredible': Jhoan Duran's first save as a Phillie was insanely electric
  5. Phillygoat owner's daughter designs Phanatic shirt to fundraise for CHOP
  6. The 'Durantula' and his WWE-style entrance are ready to debut for Phillies at Citizens Bank Park
  7. Dave Dombrowski explains why Phillies are so steadfast in their belief in Andrew Painter
  8. Bryce Harper told Rob Manfred 'get the f--- out of our clubhouse' if he wanted to talk salary cap
  9. 2025 Phillies announcer schedule
  10. What is the Phillies' uniform schedule?


author

Grace Del Pizzo

Grace Del Pizzo is a Multimedia Journalist for On Pattison and Delco Now. She is from Delco and has been covering Philly sports since 2023. During the 2024 MLB season, Del Pizzo worked as the Social Media Coordinator at Phillies Nation, growing their social channels and creating video content with Phillies players. She has also interned at Crossing Broad. Del Pizzo is a graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, where she majored in Sports Journalism and minored in Music Theatre. Follow her on X at @GraceDelPizzo!

STEWARTVILLE

Events

August

S M T W T F S
27 28 29 30 31 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 1 2 3 4 5 6

To Submit an Event Sign in first

Today's Events

No calendar events have been scheduled for today.