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Former New York Yankees reliever David Robertson has officially announced his retirement from Major League Baseball, bringing an end to a long and accomplished 17-season career.
The veteran right-hander shared the news through his social media account, confirming that he will not return for what would have been his age-41 season.
Robertson had remained unsigned in free agency, and his decision closes the chapter on one of the more consistent relief pitching careers of his generation.
“I’ve decided it’s time for me to hang up my spikes and retire from the game I’ve loved for as long as I can remember,” Robertson tweeted. “Baseball has given me more than I ever dreamed possible over the last 19 seasons.”
A career defined by consistency and longevity
Over 17 major league seasons, Robertson built an impressive résumé, especially for a relief pitcher. He finished his career with 21.9 bWAR, underlining his long-term value on the mound.
Across 881 appearances, Robertson posted a strong 2.93 ERA while logging 894.1 innings of work.
Known for his swing-and-miss stuff, Robertson recorded 1,176 strikeouts, translating to an elite 11.8 strikeouts per nine innings.
He also collected 179 career saves, often trusted in high-leverage situations throughout his time in the league.
New York Yankees roots and early development
Robertson’s professional journey began when the New York Yankees selected him in the 17th round of the 2006 MLB Draft out of the University of Alabama. He made his major league debut with the franchise in 2008, appearing in 25 games and finishing with a 5.34 ERA.
While his early numbers were modest, advanced metrics hinted at his potential, and Robertson soon established himself as a dependable bullpen arm.
His time with the Yankees laid the foundation for a career that spanned nearly two decades and included some of baseball’s most pressure-filled moments.
As Robertson steps away from the game, he does so having left a lasting mark as one of the more reliable relievers of his era.
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