David Robertson has known the Philadelphia Phillies since 2019, when he first joined the team. He returned again in 2022, and now he’s back for a third stint in the city—this time with even more purpose. Behind his decision to sign with the Phillies again are a few strong reasons that drew him back.
According to comments shared by NBC Sports Philadelphia’s John Clark, Robertson admitted he simply couldn’t stay away and was drawn to the energy that surrounds the team.
“David Robertson says he can’t stay away. He wants it like the fans want it. He said he knows this place so well and it is electric and he wanted to be a part of it again,” Clark reported, also noting that Phillies president Dave Dombrowski spoke positively about Robertson’s arm.
Not just about the atmosphere—Robertson wants more
It’s not just about rejoining a familiar group or being part of an electric clubhouse with Harper, Schwarber and others. Robertson also made it clear that he wants to help push the Phillies over the top and finish what they’ve started.
“He wants to get over the hump with the Phils & win a World Series with this group.” He also hinted that this time around might be the one that matters most: “Third time’s the charm.”
Robertson’s past with the Phillies
In his first stint with the Phillies in 2019, Robertson pitched in just seven games, posting a 5.40 ERA over 6.2 innings—his time in Philadelphia cut short due to injury. In 2022, after starting the season with the Cubs, he returned to the Phillies and appeared in 22 games, this time delivering a 2.70 ERA over 23.1 innings.
His most recent MLB action came with the Texas Rangers in 2024, where he made 68 appearances—his fourth-highest total for a single season. It marked his second straight year with 60+ games pitched, after logging 62 appearances in 2023 across two teams.
