Reliever David Robertson reaches agreement on deal with Phils (source)

PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies are bolstering their bullpen by turning to an old friend.

They have reached an agreement with free-agent reliever David Robertson, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand on Sunday. The deal, which is pending a physical, will pay Robertson a prorated $16 million for the remainder of the season, which will be about $5-$6 million. Because the Phillies are over the fourth luxury tax threshold, they also will pay a 110 percent tax on Robertson’s prorated salary. The deal has not been confirmed by the club.

But the Phillies sacrificed no prospects to get Robertson, meaning they still have the resources to find a lockdown closer and a right-handed bat, if they want to go that far.

They have been aggressively pursuing bullpen help. They now might feel an increased urgency to find a bat with Alec Bohm sidelined for the next few weeks with a fractured left rib.

It will be Robertson’s third stint with the Phillies, for whom he most recently pitched in 2022, after being acquired from the Cubs at the Trade Deadline. He signed with Philadelphia as a free agent before the 2019 season but made just seven appearances with a 5.40 ERA before needing season-ending elbow surgery.

Robertson, 40, had a solid season in 2024, striking out 99 batters while posting a 3.00 ERA over 72 innings with the Rangers. He can close (he has 177 career saves) or work pretty much anywhere in the bullpen. The 16-year veteran owns a career 2.91 ERA and 1,154 strikeouts, which is 11th all time among relievers.

Robertson made $10 million last season with Texas. He was looking for more this offseason, but when the offers didn’t come, he decided to see if anybody would come calling this summer.

The Phillies did.

They were one of several teams to watch Robertson throw in Rhode Island on Saturday.

Robertson should help a Phillies' pen that has struggled in 2025, posting a 4.33 ERA (23rd in MLB). He will join Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm as the club’s high-leverage arms. José Alvarado is eligible to return from an 80-game suspension Aug. 19. He will be ineligible for the postseason if the Phillies qualify.

The Phillies are likely to move a starter into the bullpen for the postseason, if not earlier. Plus, they are still looking to add a closer before July 31.

Robertson has prodigious experience in the postseason, owning a 3.04 ERA in 47 1/3 career postseason innings. He had a 1.17 ERA in 7 2/3 innings for the Phillies in the 2022 postseason, including four scoreless innings in the World Series.