Rangers’ Potential Midseason Bullpen Reunion Ends as Veteran Reliever Retires
Any hope of a midseason bullpen reunion between the Texas Rangers and veteran reliever David Robertson has officially come to an end. The longtime right-hander announced his retirement from Major League Baseball on Friday, closing the door on a possible return to Texas during the 2026 season.
Robertson’s decision brings an end to a 17-year MLB career and removes a potential contingency plan for the Rangers, whose bullpen situation remains one of the more uncertain areas of the roster. Given Robertson’s history with the organization and his willingness to wait until midseason before signing in recent years, he had been viewed as a logical option if Texas found itself in playoff contention and seeking late-inning stability.
That scenario played out just last season, when Robertson delayed signing until late July before joining the Philadelphia Phillies on a prorated one-year deal worth $16 million. By waiting, the veteran reliever was able to land with a World Series contender rather than committing to a rebuilding club earlier in the offseason. However, with his retirement now official, that strategy will no longer be in play.
Robertson previously pitched for the Rangers during the 2024 season, providing a steady veteran presence in the bullpen. Across 72 innings with Texas, he recorded a 3.00 ERA, struck out 99 batters, and posted 1.7 wins above replacement. While he wasn’t dominant, he remained reliable and effective in high-leverage situations, making him a respected option late in games.
His time with Philadelphia in 2025 was more uneven. In 20 regular-season appearances, Robertson logged a 4.08 ERA with 22 strikeouts and eight walks over 17⅔ innings while earning two saves. His lone postseason outing with the Phillies was brief and forgettable, as he surrendered two earned runs in just one-third of an inning during Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Robertson’s career began with the New York Yankees in 2008, where he quickly established himself as one of the league’s most dependable relievers. He played a key role in New York’s 2009 World Series championship, delivering 5⅓ scoreless innings during that postseason run. His initial stint with the Yankees lasted through 2014 before he signed with the Chicago White Sox.
In 2017, Robertson returned to the Yankees in a midseason trade that also included Tommy Kahnle, beginning a second tenure in the Bronx that ran through the 2018 season. Over the years, he also pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Miami Marlins, Phillies, and Rangers, making him one of the most well-traveled and experienced relievers of his era.
Across 894⅓ career innings, Robertson compiled a 2.93 ERA, 1,176 strikeouts, and 21.9 bWAR—numbers that reflect both longevity and consistency. While Texas may now need to look elsewhere for bullpen reinforcement in future seasons, Robertson leaves the game having carved out a respected legacy.
As he steps away from baseball, Robertson does so with the admiration of teammates, fans, and organizations across the league. His retirement marks the end of a long and successful career—one defined by durability, professionalism, and timely performance on some of baseball’s biggest stages.
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