The Boston Red Sox are one of several teams trying to make a final push toward the postseason. The Red Sox own a 66-55 record and are 4.5 games back of first place in the American League East after Tuesday’s 14-1 victory over the Houston Astros.
While the Red Sox are in great position to make their first postseason appearance since 2021, they’re still looking for players that can help them down the stretch. It’s the same thing other teams are trying to do as they look to catch Boston in the standings and it’s led one American League rival to turn to a former Red Sox reliever in the final months.
Source: RHP Nick Robertson has signed a minor league with the Kansas City #Royals
— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) August 13, 2025
Robertson spent much of this season pitching for the #Astros Triple-A team.
He has a 4.25 ERA in 36 IP in the PCL. pic.twitter.com/bGvA4KXMsn
Royals Sign Former Red Sox Reliever Nick Robertson
According to KPRC2’s Ari Alexander, the Kansas City Royals have agreed to a minor league deal with right-hander Nick Robertson. Robertson spent most of the season pitching for the Astros’ Triple-A affiliate in Sugar Land, posting a 4.25 ERA in 36 innings, but some of his limited major league innings came with the Red Sox in 2023.
A seventh-round pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2019 draft, Robertson made his debut in 2023 before he was dealt to Boston in exchange for infielder Enrique Hernandez at the trade deadline. The change of scenery didn’t pan out for Robertson as he allowed eight earned runs over 12 innings pitched and he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for Tyler O’Neill the following offseason.
Robertson went on to pitch for the Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays the following season and even spent some time in the Los Angeles Angels organization. The 27-year-old hasn’t pitched in the majors this year and control has been a major issue with a 16.6% walk rate in the minors. But he also has logged a 47.8% groundball rate and has a knack for keeping the ball in the ballpark.
If anything, Robertson’s arrival in Kansas City is merely to stock up on depth for the stretch run and will give the former Red Sox hurler another chance to turn his career around.