With the Philadelphia Phillies hopefully turning a corner as April wound down, they started May with a trade, although not one that will affect the major league roster. At least, not yet.
On Thursday morning, the Phillies announced that they had acquired right-handed reliever Daniel Robert from the Texas Rangers in exchange for right-hander Enrique Segura. Robert was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Phillies' trade for Daniel Robert brings intriguing strikeout stuff to team's relief depth
Robert, 30, was originally a 21st-round draft pick by the Rangers in 2017. After posting ridiculous strikeout numbers in the minor leagues — he struck out 243 batters in 184 innings— he made his MLB debut in 2024 with Texas.
After getting the call, he appeared in four major league games. He gave up two runs in his first outing, before holding opponents scoreless in his subsequent three relief appearances. He registered six strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.
The Hoover, AL native began the season in Triple-A but was designated for assignment on April 28. In 11 2/3 innings pitching for Round Rock in the notoriously hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, Robert had a 1.54 ERA with 17 strikeouts and just four walks before Tuesday's trade. He predominantly relies on his 95 mph four-seam fastball and 83 mph sweeper, but he has also been known to mix in the rare cutter, sinker and changeup.
Robert will add to the Phillies' bullpen depth while pitching for the IronPigs. With two minor league options, Robert's a candidate to see time with the big club when the MLB season takes its toll on the health of the Phillies' relief corps.
Despite some alarming relief struggles in April, the Phillies have yet to make any roster moves in the bullpen this season (subscription required), as noted by The Athletic's Matt Gelb, an anomaly in this day and age of Major League Baseball. That will change this weekend. Someone will be either optioned or designated for assignment when the team welcomes back left-hander Ranger Suárez to the starting rotation on Sunday.
In the deal, the Phillies sent Segura, a 20-year-old international signee from the Dominican Republic, to Texas. The Phillies inked the right-hander in January 2022, and he had progressed as far as Low-A. Segura had pitched in four games (three starts) for the Clearwater Threshers this season, posting a 1-2 record with a 3.18 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. He had logged 18 strikeouts and eight walks in his 17 innings of work.