ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — In a move aimed at bolstering their struggling bullpen, the Philadelphia Phillies have acquired right-hander Daniel Robert from the Texas Rangers in exchange for minor league pitcher Enrique Segura. The announcement was made on Thursday, May 1, 2025, by Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski.
Daniel Robert, 30, has had an interesting journey through baseball. He was a career minor leaguer before making his big league debut last season, where he posted a solid 3.18 ERA over four appearances with the Rangers, allowing just two runs across 5 2/3 innings. This season, he has continued to impress at Triple-A Round Rock, boasting a remarkable 1.54 ERA through his first ten appearances, striking out 17 batters along the way.
Prior to his acquisition, Robert was designated for assignment on April 28, 2025, despite his strong showing in the minors. He signed with Texas as a non-drafted free agent on May 10, 2018, and has since built a respectable minor league career, accumulating an 11-10 record with 17 saves and a 3.40 ERA over 146 games.
Robert's performance in the minors has been particularly noteworthy. Over the last five seasons, he has averaged an impressive 11.86 strikeouts per nine innings, with a strikeout rate of 31.1%. His fastball has averaged 94.9 mph, and he has been effective in limiting opposing hitters, who managed just a .144 batting average against him at Round Rock last season.
On the other side of the trade, 20-year-old Enrique Segura has shown promise, albeit with some growing pains. He began last season with the Phillies' rookie-level club before moving up to Class A Clearwater. This season, Segura has a 3.18 ERA in four appearances, including three starts. While he struggled initially, his recent performances have demonstrated his potential, making him a valuable asset for the Rangers.
Segura was signed by the Phillies as an amateur free agent on January 15, 2022, and has appeared in a total of 44 career games across various levels of the Phillies minor league system. His ability to develop into a reliable starter could pay dividends for Texas in the future.
The Phillies plan to start Robert off at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he will have the opportunity to continue his development and potentially contribute to the major league club later this season. With the Phillies' bullpen struggling, evidenced by their 5.03 ERA ranking 27th in MLB, the addition of Robert could provide a much-needed boost.
As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how Robert adapts to his new team and whether Segura can find success in the Rangers organization. Both players have shown flashes of talent, and their careers will be worth watching as they look to establish themselves in the big leagues.
This trade marks a significant moment for both franchises, as they aim to improve their respective rosters. The Phillies are in search of stability in their bullpen, while the Rangers are looking to develop young talent in Segura.
With both teams eager to make their mark in the season, fans will be keeping a close eye on the performances of Robert and Segura in the coming weeks. Will Robert prove to be the missing piece for the Phillies' bullpen? Can Segura develop into a reliable starter for the Rangers? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the excitement of baseball is in full swing.
