Robertson out for NLDS with strained calf muscle
ATLANTA >> The Phillies will start the National League Division Series one arm short at the back of the bullpen.
David Robertson strained his right calf muscle, celebrating Bryce Harper’s Game 2 home run in the Wild Card Series against St. Louis. He is out indefinitely and stayed back in Philadelphia to receive treatment.
“He’s devastated,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Tuesday. “He really wanted to pitch in this series. He knows how big a part he is to this club, and he’s very disappointed. Trust me, he’s going to work and do everything he can to get back as soon as he can.”
Robertson got a platelet-rich plasma injection to speed the healing process. Thomson is unsure if he could be ready to go for the next round if the Phillies advance.
The 37-year-old reliever was acquired for a second stint in Philadelphia from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline. He went 1-3 with a 2.70 ERA and six saves in 22 appearances for the Phillies, part of the closer committee. He tossed a scoreless eighth and got the win in the Game 1 comeback over the Cardinals.
Robertson was one of the few players with previous playoff experience, pitching in 34 games over eight postseasons, with the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays. He’s one of only two occupants of the Phillies clubhouse with a World Series ring, won against the Phillies in 2009. (Kyle Schwarber is the other.)
The clubhouse presence will be difficult to replace.
“He helps out a lot of the young guys out there, whether it be just what’s going on in the game, when you should be ready, that type of stuff,” Game 2 starter Zack Wheeler said. “… I think that’s one of the reasons why we probably traded for him was because he has that experience, the playoff experience, and he’s been around for a long time. And he’s had a really good year. Stinks that we can’t have him.”
Nick Nelson replaced him on the NLDS roster. The long man had a serviceable season, with a 4.85 ERA, one save and a 3-2 record in 68.2 innings. He pitched in the ALDS with the Yankees in 2020, throwing two scoreless innings over two appearances.
The Phillies do get Brad Hand back. He was activated from the injured list for the Wild Card Series but didn’t pitch in either game after an elbow issue late in September. Thomson is confident Connor Brogdon and Andrew Bellatti can take on bigger roles, and Zach Eflin has fortified the bullpen.
The unknown, with Thomson waiting to decide who starts Game 4, is if the three starters on the NLDS roster — Bailey Falter, Noah Syndergaard and Kyle Gibson — will be repurposed in relief. Syndegaard in particular had a relief appearance down the stretch to prepare him.
“I really liked his stuff coming out of the ‘pen,” Thomson said. “It ticked up, like I’ve said many times before, and he’s going to throw strikes. The moment is not going to get the best of him. I have confidence in doing something like that.”
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The other roster change from the Wild Card series brings Dalton Guthrie in for Nick Maton. Guthrie gives Thomson another right-handed option off the bench and stronger outfield defense than the converted shortstop.