Phillies add veteran reliever David Robertson to bullpen, calling him up from Triple-A

Nearly three weeks after signing reliever David Robertson to a one-year contract, the Philadelphia Phillies are adding him to the major-league roster.

Robertson, 40, has been called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley and will join the Phillies for Sunday's matchup with the Texas Rangers, the team announced. This will be the right-hander's third stint with Philadelphia, as he previously pitched for the Phillies in 2019 and 2022.

In six Triple-A appearances, Robertson notched six strikeouts and one walk in 5 1/3 innings, but also allowed six runs and 11 hits. While those numbers may look concerning, Robertson was essentially going through a spring training, building up arm strength and velocity in preparation for a call-up. At the time he was signed, Robertson told reporters he needed three or four appearances to be ready.

Last season, Robertson pitched for the Texas Rangers, compiling 99 strikeouts in 72 innings with a 3.00 ERA. Over 16 MLB seasons, he has a 2.91 ERA with 177 saves while averaging 11.8 strikeouts per nine innings.

The Phillies rank 23rd in MLB with a 4.35 ERA from their bullpen with Jordan Romano (6.64 ERA) and Joe Ross (5.16 ERA) noticeably struggling and José Alvarado serving an 80-game suspension for failing a PED test.

However, the team made an impact addition to the relief corps by acquiring Jhoan Duran from the Minnesota Twins. He's pitched three scoreless appearances thus far with two strikeouts in three innings, and three saves in three opportunities. That included throwing the fastest pitch in Citizens Bank Park history at 103.3 mph to close out a 2-0 win over the Detroit Tigers.

With Duran joining Tanner Banks (3.22 ERA) and Max Strahm (3.33) at the back end of the bullpen, the Phillies now feature a reliable trio in late innings. Robertson will fit in that mix, though isn't expected to pitch in high-leverage situations initially.

At 67-49, the Phillies currently hold a 4.5-game lead over the New York Mets for first place in the NL East. They have won seven of their past 10 games going into Sunday's game.