Rays sign David Robertson after veteran reliever helps USA Baseball win silver medal in Tokyo

Proper-handed reliever David Robertson has signed a major-league cope with the Rays, although he’ll initially report back to Triple-A Durham, the membership introduced Monday.  Robertson, 36, hasn’t pitched within the majors since 2019 and hasn’t had an prolonged run of success since 2018. However he served as Staff USA’s nearer — succeeding in each of his save probabilities — en path to a silver medal on the current Tokyo Olympics. 

It was a quick showcase, however apparently it paid off. Certain, he will Triple-A for a fast tune-up, however he isn’t getting an MLB deal from the Rays until they intend to make use of him down the stretch. 

From 2009-18, Robertson had a pleasant run as one of many simpler late-inning relievers in baseball. He was something from a top-flight setup man for the Yankees to an excellent nearer for each the White Sox and Yankees. He signed a two-year cope with a third-year possibility with the Phillies previous to the 2019 season, however ended up needing Tommy John surgical procedure after simply seven outings. He suffered a setback in his rehab from the process in late August final season after which the Phillies purchased out the 2021 possibility. 

Robertson noticed a while within the impartial Atlantic League earlier this yr, serving to to ramp up exercise earlier than the Olympics. 

In Robertson’s final full season, 2018, he had a 3.23 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 91 strikeouts towards 25 unintentional walks in 69 2/3 innings. He had 5 saves and 21 holds with 4 blown saves. 

The Rays doubtless wish to add Robertson to their late-inning combine. Particularly since buying and selling Diego Castillo, they do not actually function with a more in-depth. Pete Fairbanks has essentially the most saves amongst remaining gamers, however he has simply 5 and is on the injured record. Andrew Kittredge has been an enormous arm late for them. Others in Tampa’s late-inning combine embody Collin McHugh, Matt Wisler and J.T. Chargois.