ST. PETERSBURG (SNN-TV) – The Tampa Bay Rays have signed 36-year-old reliever David Robertson to a major league contract and will have him report to Triple-A Durham. Robertson most recently pitched for the silver medal-winning USA team in the Tokyo Olympics.
The right-hander has compiled a 53-33 record with 137 career saves and a 2.90 ERA in 12 major league seasons, including nine with the New York Yankees. Robertson last appeared in the majors in 2019 in seven games with the Philadelphia Phillies.
In a corresponding move, the Rays transferred left-hander Jeffrey Springs from the 15-day to 60-day IL to make room on the 40-man roster. Springs underwent surgery Monday to reconstruct a torn ACL in his right knee that he injured July 31 in Boston.
The Rays started Monday with 16 pitchers on the IL, including ace Tyler Glasnow and closer, Nick Anderson. Glasnow is out for the season and likely all of next year as well following Tommy John surgery. Anderson is currently on a rehab assignment with Durham.