Phillies: David Robertson’s rust a cause for concern for bullpen?
By John Town
David Robertson has been a sieve in the late innings for the Phillies bullpen, losing them Wednesday’s game. Is this a major cause for concern?
The Phillies signed David Robertson this offseason to steady a rocky bullpen. His 2.59 ERA, 1.068 WHIP, and 12.1 strikeouts per nine innings in 520 appearances since 2011 provided more than enough of a track record. His two-year, $21 million contract with a $12 million team option for 2021 was viewed as one of the better contracts of the offseason.
Robertson was promised a high-leverage, late-inning role before signing, as to be expected given his career numbers. Him, Seranthony Dominguez, Hector Neris, and Pat Neshek were expected to be the key late-inning relievers for the team.
However, Robertson has failed to keep runners off the bases and from scoring so far this year. In three appearances this year, Robertson has allowed four runs on five walks and five hits while striking out just one batter.
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In his first two outings, the runs Robertson allowed didn’t impact the final outcome. He entered on Opening Day with a 10-3 lead in the eighth inning, giving up a run on a walk and two hits before recording an out. On Saturday night, Robertson gave up two runs before getting anyone out, but the game still ended with an 8-6 Phillies win.
Despite his rough first two outings, Robertson still got the call to keep Wednesday’s game tied 8-8 in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Dominguez and Neris already had to pitch due to Aaron Nola‘s three-inning outing, so it was either Robertson or Pat Neshek.
Robertson did not have any semblance of control on the mound, throwing just six strikes compared to 13 balls. He gave up a leadoff single then walked three straight batters to lose the game on a walk-off walk. After watching the team rally back from 6-2 to take an 8-6 lead, it was quite the gut punch to watch them lose in this fashion.
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Robertson readily admitted after the game that he has been struggling: [quote via Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer]
"“I’ve been sucking out there. That’s for sure,” David Robertson said. “I’m pitching like crap and it sucks.”"
Like many veteran pitchers, Robertson did not get much work during spring training. He made just four appearances, pitching just 3.2 innings. This has led to him needing to shake off the rust during the regular season, a problem that I noted after the first series. I stated that rust could hurt the team if Robertson had to pitch in a close game, and we saw that Wednesday.
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Robertson needs to shake off that rust pronto, or things are only going to get worse in the meantime. Until he can do so, his role should be limited to less impactful situations.