Headlines

  • Hayden Wesneski To Undergo Tommy John Surgery
  • Dodgers Release Chris Taylor
  • Jose Alvarado Issued 80-Game PED Suspension
  • Orioles Fire Manager Brandon Hyde
  • Ben Joyce Undergoes Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery
  • Dodgers Promote Dalton Rushing, Designate Austin Barnes For Assignment
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2025
    • Free Agent Contest Leaderboard
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Rays To Recall David Robertson

By Anthony Franco | August 31, 2021 at 10:26pm CDT

The Rays are planning to recall veteran reliever David Robertson to the big league roster before tomorrow evening’s game against the Red Sox, reports Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (Twitter link). Active rosters expand from 26 to 28 players tomorrow, so no corresponding move is necessary.

It’ll be Robertson’s first big league action since April 2019. The veteran righty suffered a UCL tear that spring, eventually requiring a Tommy John surgery that wiped out both the rest of that season and his entire 2020 campaign. Robertson tossed a couple showcases over the offseason but ultimately didn’t sign over the winter.

Instead, Robertson was among the handful of longtime big leaguers to join the U.S. National team for this year’s Summer Olympics. He showed well enough there to land a major league contract with Tampa Bay, although he agreed to a temporary assignment to Triple-A Durham to build up arm strength. Robertson has been stellar with the Bulls, tossing six scoreless innings with twelve strikeouts and a lone walk issued.

While it has been almost three years since Robertson was healthy, he was one of the league’s most durable and productive relievers for much of his tenures with the Yankees and White Sox. The 36-year-old owns a 2.90 ERA over 663 2/3 big league innings, and he tossed 60+ innings with a sub-4.00 ERA in every season from 2010-18.

Anything resembling that level of production would be key for a Rays’ bullpen that has dealt with myriad health issues this season.  While Robertson will step in as an option for manager Kevin Cash, it seems Tampa Bay can’t count on immediate contributions from either Ryan Thompson or Oliver Drake.

Thompson, who has been out since June 30 with shoulder inflammation, continues to feel soreness and isn’t expected to begin throwing any time soon, manager Kevin Cash told Topkin. Drake, meanwhile, isn’t expected to pitch this season, according to Cash. Drake has been plagued by a flexor strain since last October; he was expected to begin a rehab assignment in July but apparently suffered some form of setback. Both players are already on the 60-day injured list.

Share 0 Retweet 6 Send via email0

Tampa Bay Rays David Robertson Oliver Drake Ryan Thompson

Brewers Sign Keon Broxton
Main
Blue Jays Designate Brad Hand For Assignment
View Comments (30)
Post a Comment

30 Comments

  1. bucsfan0004

    4 years ago

    No one knows if Robertson can actually pitch, but he’ll show the Rays how to split up those playoff shares.

    5
    Reply
    • LordD99

      4 years ago

      In “fairness,” perhaps the Rays won’t vote him any shares!

      2
      Reply
  2. CluHaywood

    4 years ago

    Ugh, I remember him pitching for the White Sox. Just awful. Worst closer in recent memory since Bob Howry for the Sox. Or Ronald Bellasario…

    Why did I do this to myself…

    Reply
    • BigHunt85

      4 years ago

      I must say…..he was outstanding in Philly too. A real bargain.

      Reply
      • brucebochyisthemarlboroman

        4 years ago

        Christ I wish he was in any way healthy through that deal. But alas….

        Reply
        • Fred McGriff

          4 years ago

          @brucebochyisthemarlboroman

          Since you mentioned Jesus Christ, please ensure you say a prayer for David Robertson.

          1
          Reply
    • Modified_6

      4 years ago

      ERA+ of 115 117 and 161 with tons of strikeouts and few homers in his time with the white Sox.. what exactly did you not like?

      10
      Reply
    • WtfMate

      4 years ago

      He was pretty decent for the Sox…

      Reply
  3. citizen

    4 years ago

    Even worse trade with the Yankees. No viable return.

    Reply
    • dasit

      4 years ago

      at the time, yankee fans were sad to see rutherford and clarkin go
      when prospects don’t pan out, and most of them don’t, trades look awful in retrospect

      Reply
    • StudWinfield

      4 years ago

      Gave up on Tito Polo too soon. He’s raking in the Mexican League.

      Reply
      • When it was a game.

        4 years ago

        Yankees do excellent job of making there prospects out to be the next big thing. Then when they get traded you never hear about them again.

        Reply
        • StudWinfield

          4 years ago

          @Lee Mazzilli, How do they accomplish that? Do they lobby (i.e. $’s) Baseball America, Fangraphs, MLB.com, etc to gratuitously over-rank? Or maybe they convince every other front office to disregard any scouting report that’s not yankee-centric?

          Reply
        • stymeedone

          4 years ago

          They didn’t have to do anything but be located in the largest media market in the world. They get more coverage than any other team. Coverage of prospects is always thru rose colored glasses.

          Reply
        • StudWinfield

          4 years ago

          But it’s the fans that consume that media. It’s unlikely that other franchises are relying on market driven media to form there opinions on industry talent. And I’d be surprised if Baseball America utilized Yankee blogs and the New York Post to develop their rankings.

          Reply
  4. matt4baseball

    4 years ago

    Why are the Rays fans misled that their players don’t come back from their injuries as documented! There must be 10 of them already and most were expected back in early July! No medical team is that ignorant! Since other teams are doing this, It has to be investigated and stopped.. Glad a new CBA agreement is this year to possibly correct this and we can see our players play ball.

    Reply
    • FloridaSportsGuy

      4 years ago

      Well, those are certainly words.

      2
      Reply
    • Sideline Redwine

      4 years ago

      I read that twice and still do not know what I am “misled” about. Assuming you can lead me in the right direction?

      1
      Reply
  5. creacher

    4 years ago

    Love this guy. Houdini in high socks. He also has a high socks foundation for kids rays fans!! I know he was a Yankee but he’s a great dude

    1
    Reply
  6. oscar gamble

    4 years ago

    I wish the man well. He’s had a frustrating last couple years with injuries.

    1
    Reply
  7. LordD99

    4 years ago

    Could be an impact addition to the Rays pen if he’s healthy, which he appears to be. He’ll help the Rays if he’s 90% of what he was his last year with the Yankees.

    2
    Reply
    • mlbnyyfan

      4 years ago

      Your dead to me Houdini. Don’t ever come back for any Old Timers Day games.

      2
      Reply
      • LordD99

        4 years ago

        A bit surprised the Yankees didn’t take a shot at him. They know him better than any organization.

        1
        Reply
        • RobM

          4 years ago

          Probably a numbers game as much as anything with the Yankees. Their pen is packed, and they have guys like Ridings and Gil to call up, but limited spots.

          Reply
      • FloridaSportsGuy

        4 years ago

        It must suck to constantly fail year in and year out with one of the largest payrolls and marquee players in the game.

        Reply
        • keysox

          4 years ago

          They’ll make the playoffs. I thought that was the object.
          Who cares about the money they spend. As long as it isn’t mine.

          Reply
    • keysox

      4 years ago

      The guy is horrible. Must have a great agent. Himself

      Reply
  8. alwaysgo4two

    4 years ago

    If he still has that 12/6 curveball, he’ll help. The Rays aren’t expected him to be their closer, just another different look from the pen.

    Reply
    • RobM

      4 years ago

      You’re likely correct on him not being the closer, but with the Rays, I wouldn’t bet against any one person not being the closer!

      1
      Reply
  9. RobM

    4 years ago

    As a baseball fan, I always like to see players make comebacks post surgery and after many thought they were finished. The Phils unfortunately picked up Robertson just as years of use caused his elbow to give out. Be curious to see what he has left. He’s only 5’10”, but at one point it was reported he had the longest stride when delivering to the plate, which caused his fastball to play up.

    1
    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Hayden Wesneski To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Dodgers Release Chris Taylor

    Jose Alvarado Issued 80-Game PED Suspension

    Orioles Fire Manager Brandon Hyde

    Ben Joyce Undergoes Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery

    Dodgers Promote Dalton Rushing, Designate Austin Barnes For Assignment

    Major League Baseball Rules That Permanent Ineligibility Ends At Death

    Rangers Place Corey Seager On Injured List

    Cubs Promote Moises Ballesteros

    Evan Longoria To Sign One-Day Contract, Retire As Member Of Rays

    Diamondbacks To Promote Jordan Lawlar

    Rockies Fire Bud Black

    Cubs Promote Cade Horton

    Rafael Devers Unwilling To Play First Base

    Pirates Fire Manager Derek Shelton

    Mariners Claim Leody Taveras

    Rangers Hire Bret Boone As Hitting Coach

    A.J. Minter To Undergo Season-Ending Lat Surgery

    Blue Jays Sign Spencer Turnbull

    Blue Jays Sign José Ureña

    Recent

    Poll: Should The Royals Be Worried About Salvador Perez?

    White Sox Release Omar Narvaez

    White Sox Notes: Robert, Wilson, Benintendi

    Nationals To Promote Robert Hassell III

    Guardians Prospect Travis Bazzana Diagnosed With Oblique Strain

    Phillies Sign Lucas Sims To Minor League Deal

    Rangers Place Chris Martin On Injured List

    Mariners Select Casey Lawrence, Designate Austin Shenton For Assignment

    Pirates Select Isaac Mattson

    Tigers Designate Tomas Nido For Assignment

    ad: 300x250_5_side_mlb

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Nolan Arenado Rumors
    • Dylan Cease Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Marcus Stroman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • 2024-25 Offseason Outlook Series
    • 2025 Arbitration Projections
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version