ARLINGTON, Texas — Bryce Harper walked into the visitors’ clubhouse, grinning when he saw reliever David Robertson working on the crossword at a table in the middle of the room.

“D-Rob, I didn’t know you were here,” Harper said as he crossed the room, then hugged Robertson. “Congrats on your debut.”

Robertson laughed. It is his 2025 season debut. But, other than that, there is little newness to Robertson’s call-up on Sunday. The right-hander returns to Texas, where he spent the 2024 season: “Kind of strange,” he said. He is also returning to the Phillies for the third time (2019, 2022).

Much of the Phillies’ roster remains from 2022, a run that included Robertson earning the save in Game 1 of the World Series. They welcomed him back. There were hugs, a “Sup, bro” from Weston Wilson, a handshake from president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski.

“Are (the Texas Rangers) going to do a welcome back video?” someone asked Robertson.

“I don’t know that they know I’m here,” he replied.

Robertson, however, had been expected to join the bullpen this weekend since Friday. The move came after spending a little more than two weeks at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He pitched 5 1/3 innings for the IronPigs, striking out six and walking one as he worked his way up to back-to-back outings on Aug. 6 and 7.

The veteran reliever signed with the Phillies on July 20 for around $5.5 million on a pro-rated, one-year, $16 million contract, a major-league source told The Athletic. He last appeared in the majors in September 2024 with Texas, logging a 3.00 ERA with 99 strikeouts and 27 walks across 72 innings. Robertson, who is self-represented, declined his end of a mutual option with the Rangers after last season and accepted a $1.5 million buyout to test free agency. He negotiated with teams in the fall before choosing not to sign and instead spend time with his family.

“But, I mean, the league hasn’t told me yet that I’m not good enough to play anymore,” Robertson said last month. “And I haven’t been told to go home. So, if I’ve got the opportunity to step between the lines and give everything I’ve got, I’m going to fulfill that itch and try to win some ball games.”

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said he envisions Robertson joining the ranks of Jordan Romano, Max Lazar and Tanner Banks — a group of relievers he trusts to enter games and shut down base runners. “A lot of good options there,” Thomson said Saturday.

But Thomson expects to ease Robertson in, seeking to use him in lower-leverage situations unless forced to do otherwise.

Robertson’s addition marks a new chapter for the Phillies’ bullpen, bolstered by the addition of closer Jhoan Duran at the trade deadline. Former top reliever José Alvarado, suspended for taking a performance-enhancing drug, can rejoin the group Aug. 19.

The group ranked 18th in the majors in ERA (4.34) from May 18, the first day of Alvarado’s suspension, through July 31. In August, the bullpen is sixth in ERA (2.18) — and that is without Alvarado or Robertson.

“It’s really changed over a short period of time,” Thomson said Sunday. “We’ve added some real quality, and there’s a lot of options out there to go to.”

With Robertson’s call-up came a return to Triple A for Alan Rangel, a minor-league starter who gave the Phillies some length in the bullpen. Rangel, who had been up with the club since July 22, debuted and earned his first career save in an earlier stint with Philadelphia this season.

José Alvarado is eligible to return from his suspension on Aug. 19. (Hunter Martin / Getty Images)

As Alvarado nears his return, the question is: Who will remain in the Phillies’ bullpen? The group Thomson described of Banks, Robertson, Romano and Lazar features three righties. Add Joe Ross, and it becomes four. Presumably, Romano, Ross or Lazar will go; perhaps two of them, with Aaron Nola’s return also requiring a roster move.

The Phillies have demonstrated more trust in Lazar in recent weeks and, aside from a tough outing against the White Sox, he has been solid. Yet Lazar could find himself the odd man out because he has options. Should Alvarado rejoin the big-league club Aug. 19, Lazar could be optioned and return to Philadelphia on Sept. 3, shortly after rosters expand Sept. 1.

Romano and Ross have not been the bounce-back candidates the Phillies hoped they would be. Romano has allowed five earned runs and struck out five in 9 2/3 innings since the beginning of July. Ross, who went on the injured list in late July, has allowed four runs and struck out five in 7 1/3 innings since the beginning of that month. Lazar has nine strikeouts and eight earned runs allowed — including six against the White Sox — over 12 2/3 innings in that span.

Lazar has been more consistent than Romano recently, but sending Lazar to Triple A for just over two weeks is arguably an easier decision than cutting Romano, whom the Phillies signed to a one-year, $8.5 million deal in the offseason. Parting ways with Ross, however, could be a less difficult call.

These are decisions for down the road. Now, it is Robertson’s turn to break camp.

“I don’t really care when I pitch,” he said. “Whatever it takes, whenever they want to put me in, I’ll give it everything I’ve got.”

(Photo of David Robertson in 2022: Elsa / Getty Images)