Phillies add bullpen depth with acquisition of David Robertson
Lori Nichols/NJ Advance Med
After a long week of waiting for trades to start brewing, it finally happened—the Phillies received RHP David Robertson via trade with the Chicago Cubs.
Robertson, a former reliever for the Phillies in 2019, had a 5.4 ERA in seven games. He was sidelined due to injury and never returned that season. This year has gone much better for Robertson as he has a 2.23 ERA in 36 appearances. He has struck out 51 batters and pitched 40.1 innings.
To make room on the roster, the Phillies designated Jeurys Familia for assignment. Familia had a 6.09 ERA and only struck 33 in 34 innings pitched.
Robertson will be a huge upgrade in Familia’s spot in the ‘pen. He will add depth to the back end of the Phillies’ red-hot bullpen. With Seranthony Dominguez serving as the closer, Robertson will have to adjust to a new role. Robertson could see time in the seventh and eighth innings, moving Brad Hand from a setup man to a middle reliever.
The Phillies gave up their 25th-ranked prospect, Ben Brown. Brown had a 3.08 ERA this season in 16 appearances and 73 innings pitched. Brown had great strikeout numbers striking out about 1.4 batters per inning.
Robertson is expected to be available out of the bullpen for the Phillies game in Atlanta on Wednesday.
