There is not much else that David Robertson, a 15-year major leaguer who has shown virtually no regression, has left to prove.
But if a trade-deadline buyer wanted to see how the Mets’ closer reacts after not pitching for more than a week, maybe Robertson gained a touch more value.
Robertson was typically effective in Sunday’s win over the Dodgers, when he pitched two scoreless innings — including the 10th inning, when the ghost runner was stranded (with some help from the Dodgers’ hard hits finding gloves) — in his first appearance since July 7.
The Mets had lost four straight in games bridging the All-Star break and thus had not called upon their best relief arm, who was summoned on eight days’ rest — and after he felt “a little under the weather” Saturday, manager Buck Showalter said.
Neither the illness nor rust mattered.
Robertson entered and got six outs without allowing a run, giving Luis Guillorme time to play hero in the bottom of the 10th.
“I don’t really overthink the situation or anything else,” said Robertson, whose ERA is down to 1.96. “I can’t worry about when I’m going to pitch, how I’m going to pitch, who I’m going to face against, what leverage. Just go out there and throw the ball. Throw the white ball over the white plate, hope you get outs.”
In a season that is on the brink of being lost, Robertson has been a find.
The Mets signed the 38-year-old to be a setup man for Edwin Diaz, who then tore the patellar tendon in his right knee.
The flexible Robertson moved back to the ninth inning and has been brilliant.
It is possible the righty — who went from the Cubs to the Phillies at last year’s deadline — is the most valuable, realistic trade chip the Mets possess.
Robertson is even more effective against lefty hitters than righties and could find a niche within any big-league bullpen.
With two weeks until the Aug. 1 decision day, the Mets will have to weigh whether Robertson should be cashed in or if he should stay at the back of their bullpen, where he has been money.
Showalter said he knew that Robertson would enter Sunday’s game at some point because, after the long layoff, Robertson needed work.
Keeping Robertson fresh and available is a high priority.
“We got a good thing in David,” the Mets manager said. “We’re trying to keep it a good thing.”
