Phillies bring back David Robertson, option Alan Rangel to Triple-A

Drew Smith
August 10, 2025
Phillies
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The Phillies are bringing a familiar face back to the bullpen. Before Saturday’s game in Texas, the team recalled veteran right-hander David Robertson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley, sending Alan Rangel back down to make room on the 26-man roster. Robertson will wear No. 30.

Phillies bring back David Robertson, option Alan Rangel to Triple-A

Prior to today’s game against the Texas Rangers, the Phillies recalled RHP David Robertson from Lehigh Valley (AAA). To make room on the 26-man roster, RHP Alan Rangel was optioned to Lehigh Valley.

Robertson will wear No. 30.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 10, 2025

David Robertson’s stint in the minors was more about fine-tuning than anything else. On Thursday, he faced just one batter for the IronPigs. He faced Yankees top prospect Spencer Jones and struck him out on five pitches, freezing him with a 92.6 mph sinker on the black.

Spencer Jones down looking courtesy of David Robertson#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/rTl7srzf2O
— SleeperPhillies (@SleeperPhillies) August 8, 2025

That appearance came after a 15-pitch outing Wednesday, giving Robertson his first back-to-back test since returning.

Manager Rob Thomson said the club has “checked about every box we need to check” and plans to have Robertson activated Sunday if he feels good.

While the Phillies aren’t ready to toss him into the late-inning fire right away, they clearly expect him to get there soon.

“He was 94, cutter was good, breaking ball’s been good and he’s hitting his spots,” Thomson said. “We’ll just have to see, but I see us easing him in a little bit.”

The Phillies bullpen has been sharp lately, and if Robertson can get rolling, it adds yet another reliable option down the stretch.

People forget that David Robertson pitched 7.2 innings, while posting a 1.17 ERA with 11 Ks in the Phillies 2022 Postseason Run.

World Series: 4 IP, 5 Ks, 0 ER, 1 SV pic.twitter.com/mtMZeEt4a4
— Phillies Central (@philscentral_) August 10, 2025

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Up Next: Zack Wheeler takes the mound Sunday looking for his 10th win of the season and a clean sweep in Texas. Patrick Corbin gets the ball for the Rangers, and if Wheeler’s on, Philly could be heading home with a perfect weekend.