The Phillies are bringing back right-handed reliever Daniel Robert on a minor league deal, giving the 31-year-old another shot to earn a spot in the bullpen this spring. He’ll be in camp as a non-roster invitee, a familiar route for fringe arms looking to prove they belong on a big-league roster.
Robert first joined Philadelphia last May in a DFA trade with the Rangers. He made 15 appearances for the Phillies, logging 13 innings and allowing seven runs-six of them earned.
The raw stuff showed flashes, with 15 strikeouts in that stretch, but control remained an issue. He walked 10 of the 59 batters he faced, which ultimately limited his effectiveness.
Where Robert did shine was at the Triple-A level. Across 30 1/3 innings in the minors, he posted a 2.67 ERA with a strikeout rate north of 27% and a walk rate under 7%.
That’s a solid combo, especially for a bullpen arm trying to break through. Unfortunately, a forearm strain shut him down for the final month of the season, putting a pause on any momentum he was building.
The Phillies removed Robert from the 40-man roster in November, opting not to tender him a contract. That sent him into free agency without needing to pass through waivers-a common move for pre-arbitration players.
It’s also common to see teams circle back in these situations, and that’s exactly what Philly has done here. If Robert is healthy and can recapture his Triple-A form, he’ll have a chance to pitch his way back into the bullpen conversation.
That said, the path back to the big leagues won’t be easy. The Phillies’ relief corps is already fairly locked in heading into Spring Training.
Jhoan Duran, José Alvarado, Brad Keller, Tanner Banks, Jonathan Bowlan, and Orion Kerkering are all expected to have their spots secured. That leaves just two bullpen jobs realistically up for grabs-assuming the team doesn’t bring in another swingman before Opening Day.
Among those competing for those final spots are Zach Pop, a free agent signing who’s out of minor league options, and Rule 5 pick Zach McCambley, who must make the Opening Day roster or be offered back to the Marlins if he clears waivers. That adds a layer of urgency for both players-and for Robert, who’ll need to stand out in camp to force his way into the mix.
For now, Robert’s deal is a low-risk move with some upside. He’s shown he can miss bats at the Triple-A level, and if he can tighten up the command, there’s a path to meaningful innings in the middle of the Phillies’ bullpen. Spring Training will be his proving ground.