With just over a week remaining before pitchers and catchers report for spring training, the Philadelphia Phillies are continuing to bolster their roster depth. Following the recent addition of veteran utility player Dylan Moore on a minor league deal over the weekend, the team has reportedly signed right-handed pitcher Daniel Robert on Tuesday, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Robert’s agreement is a minor league contract that comes with an invitation to major league spring training. The 31-year-old right-hander is returning to the Phillies, who initially acquired him from the Texas Rangers last May.
Robert spent much of the 2025 season moving between the Phillies and their Triple-A affiliate in Lehigh Valley. With one minor league option still available, it’s likely he could fill a similar role in 2026 to what he did last season. Originally a 21st-round draft pick, Robert first appeared for the Phillies as the 27th man during a May 14 doubleheader, striking out the sole batter he faced. Over 15 relief appearances in the majors, he posted a 4.15 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP across 13 innings. In Triple-A, he pitched 18 2/3 innings in 18 games, compiling a 3.38 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. After being non-tendered by the Phillies in November, he entered free agency.
Robert’s pitching arsenal features an 84 mph sweeper that generated a 34% whiff rate last season with a .197 expected batting average against. He also throws a 96 mph four-seam fastball, a 91 mph cutter, and a 95 mph sinker. While he shows promise as a strikeout pitcher—recording 15 strikeouts in 13 MLB innings last season (25.4% K rate)—command has been a weakness, as he issued 10 walks (16.9% BB rate) in that span.
Despite these concerns, the Phillies clearly value Robert’s potential. Across 30 1/3 combined Triple-A innings in 2025 with the Rangers and Phillies, he posted a 27.3% strikeout rate while walking just 6.8% of hitters faced.
Heading into spring training, Robert will compete for a spot in a deep Phillies bullpen. His competition includes right-handers Jonathan Bowlan, acquired in the Matt Strahm trade, Zach McCambley, the team’s Rule 5 pick, and Zach Pop, who is out of options. Left-handed Kyle Backhus and right-handed Chase Shugart, both recent trade acquisitions, join Seth Johnson, Max Lazar, and Nolan Hoffman, who are already on the 40-man roster.
Several non-roster invitees will also be vying for opportunities alongside Robert. Right-handers Michael Mercado, Trevor Richards, Jonathan Hernández, and Andrew Bechtold, as well as lefties Tim Mayza, Génesis Cabrera, and Andrew Walling, will all be in camp aiming to earn playing time in 2026.