Phillies Strengthen Bullpen Depth with Trade for Rangers’ Right-Hander Daniel Robert
In a strategic move to bolster their pitching depth, the Philadelphia Phillies acquired right-handed reliever Daniel Robert from the Texas Rangers on Thursday. The Phillies sent 20-year-old pitching prospect Enrique Segura to Texas in exchange for the 30-year-old veteran.
Robert, who was designated for assignment by the Rangers earlier in the week, will now report to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. While he won’t be joining the major league roster immediately, his recent performances suggest that he could be a strong bullpen option for the Phillies down the line.
The Alabama native made four appearances out of the bullpen for Texas this season, posting a solid 1-0 record with a 3.18 ERA across 5 2/3 innings. Though his time in the majors this year has been brief, his work at Triple-A Round Rock turned heads. In 10 outings, Robert delivered a stellar 1.54 ERA with two saves, showing poise and effectiveness in late-inning situations.
Originally drafted in the 16th round by the Rangers in 2017, Robert has steadily climbed the minor league ranks. Known for his gritty mound presence and ability to generate weak contact, he brings valuable experience and a steady arm to a Phillies bullpen that’s already dealt with its share of injuries and inconsistencies this season.
The Phillies are clearly looking to reinforce their depth as they eye a postseason push, and adding a seasoned reliever like Robert could prove to be a low-risk, high-reward move.
Heading the other way is young right-hander Enrique Segura, a promising but unproven arm who signed with Philadelphia out of the Dominican Republic in 2022. At just 20 years old, Segura has yet to advance beyond the Class A level. He’s considered a developmental project with raw tools but has shown glimpses of potential that caught the Rangers’ attention.
For now, Robert will continue honing his craft at Lehigh Valley, but he’ll be just one call away if the Phillies need an injection of experience and control in their bullpen. It’s a classic win-now trade for Philadelphia, acquiring a polished reliever while parting with a prospect who’s still years away from making an impact at the big-league level.
Will Robert become a key piece of the Phillies’ playoff puzzle? Time will tell, but the move signals that the front office isn’t waiting around.