While the Phillies are on a bit of a hot streak, they’ve gotten the ball rolling on wrapping up some injury concerns. Roman Quinn was officially placed on the 10-day IL with a right groin strain and it was also confirmed that Jake Arrieta will have surgery later this month to take care of a bone spur that has ailed him throughout the 2019 season. While he’s expected to be back for spring training ahead of the 2020 season, the same cannot be said about reliever David Robertson, who underwent Tommy John surgery on August 15.

That’s devastating news for the Phils, especially GM Matt Klentak, who signed Robertson to a 2-year/$23m deal prior to this season with the thought that he would solidify the back end of the bullpen. It appeared to be an excellent deal at the time with Robertson having strung together eight consecutive seasons with at least 60 innings pitched. He was two years removed from a season split between the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees, in which he pitched to a 1.84 ERA in 61 games. Last year with the Yankees, he threw a career-high 69.2 innings with a 3.23 ERA and 2.97 FIP. Unfortunately, he only lasted 6.2 innings over seven games in 2019, his first season with the Phillies.

Gabe Kapler spoke to the assembled media ahead of Saturday night’s game against the San Diego Padres and had the following to say of Robertson (transcription via our Phillies writer Bob, who was present for the comments):

Obviously, he’s super disappointed and wants to be contributing to what we’re doing right now. I think he’s apologetic because really it’s hard to have an injury like this occur and feel like all you want to do is contribute and not be able to do it, so yeah, it’s a rough time for him.

You work really hard in the rehab process, you grind, and the first thing I think I tell myself when it’s a long-term thing for players, “I’m going to beat expectations, whatever those expectations are, and try to come back sooner.”

It’s clear that the topic of returning from a serious injury earlier than expected is something Kapler is passionate about. Back in 2005, he ruptured his Achilles rounding second base after hitting a home run against the Toronto Blue Jays:

He somehow managed to return to the Red Sox lineup just nine months later. It remains to be seen how David Robertson’s recovery will go, but let’s hope he’s back sooner rather than later. For the Phillies, there’s going to have to be a conversation about the third year team option they have as part of Robertson’s deal. It’s hard to imagine they’ll pick up the $12 million option in what will be his age 36 season following effectively two lost seasons.

For more Phillies talk, check out Crossed Up: A Phillies Podcast and Crossed Up Radio on 610 ESPN Philadelphia every Monday from 5-6PM.

https://art19.com/shows/crossed-up-a-phillies-podcast/episodes/1c768fed-0a1f-4446-8095-8e775f73e23c