Phillies Re-Sign RHP Daniel Robert to Minor-League Deal, Spring-Training Invite

The Philadelphia Phillies have brought back right-hander Daniel Robert on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to major-league Spring Training, a move first reported Feb. 3 by Jon Heyman and confirmed by MLB Trade Rumors and other outlets. The deal gives Philadelphia low-cost depth behind a bullpen that will be contested in camp and during the Grapefruit League.

Robert, 31, is a 2017 21st-round pick out of Auburn who developed as a swing man between Triple-A and the big leagues. He throws a mid-to-upper-90s four-seam fastball and sinker along with a cutter and a sweeper, the latter described as his primary weapon by local coverage. That repertoire and his strikeout profile helped him earn a look in the majors in two separate seasons.

The righty landed in Philadelphia in late April/early May 2025 in a small trade with the Texas Rangers for RHP Enrique Segura, then split time between Triple-A and the big leagues the rest of the year. At Triple-A Round Rock and Lehigh Valley he combined for 30 1/3 innings with a 2.67 ERA, a 27.3 percent strikeout rate and a 6.8 percent walk rate. His Lehigh Valley line included 18 games, 18.2 innings, a 3.38 ERA, 19 strikeouts, five walks and four saves; his Round Rock numbers were 10 games, 11.2 innings, a 1.54 ERA, 17 strikeouts and four walks.

Robert made 15 appearances for Philadelphia in 2025, totaling 13 innings with a 4.15 ERA, 15 strikeouts and 10 walks and a 1.62 WHIP. He first appeared as the 27th man during a May 14 doubleheader, striking out the lone batter he faced. The season ended prematurely when he was placed on the injured list with a right forearm strain and transferred to the 60-day IL; the club non-tendered him in November, making him a free agent before re-signing him this winter.

From a roster and developmental perspective, the signing is familiar terrain for front offices: a player removed from the 40-man at the tender deadline who returns on a minor-league pact to compete for a role. Robert arrives with one minor-league option remaining, which gives Philadelphia roster flexibility to shuttle him between Triple-A and the majors if he wins a job or if the club needs middle relief or multi-inning coverage.

Competition in camp will be stiff. The Phillies expect veteran relievers and non-roster invitees such as Zach Pop, Tim Mayza, Jonathan Bowlan, Kyle Backhus and others to test for late-inning roles. Pitchers and catchers report Feb. 11, full-squad workouts begin Feb. 16 and the Grapefruit League opener is Feb. 21, providing a clear runway for Robert to show he’s healthy and ready to reclaim big-league innings.

For fans, Robert’s return is a reminder of how clubs stock bullpen depth through low-risk signings and internal competition. If healthy and sharp, Robert could supply swing-mass relief and high-leverage depth while the Phillies sort the back end of their bullpen during Spring Training and the early season.