Trending Now - Phillies Pitcher Daniel Robert Released After Heart Incident

WHO:

Daniel Robert, 31, Phillies relief pitcher

Rob Thomson, Phillies manager

Todd Zolecki, senior reporter for MLB.com

Daniel Robert, 31, Phillies relief pitcher

Rob Thomson, Phillies manager

Dave Dombrowski, Phillies president of baseball operations

Cristopher Sánchez, Phillies pitcher

Daniel Robert, Phillies relief pitcher

Rob Thomson, Phillies manager

Cristopher Sánchez, Phillies pitcher

Dave Dombrowski, Phillies president of baseball operations

Todd Zolecki, senior reporter for MLB.com

WHAT:

Daniel Robert is out of the hospital and feeling OK following a cardiac event on March 19th, 2026.

Approximately 15 teammates were present during Robert's bullpen session when he collapsed.

Rob Thomson described the incident as "very scary" and noted, “It was scary because he went down, he started to get back up again and he went back down.”

Cristopher Sánchez's new contract was announced on March 22nd, 2026, and he expressed gratitude, stating, “They rewarded my work and the way I’ve been doing the last few years of my work, and it’s just a great commitment.”

Daniel Robert collapsed on the pitcher’s mound next to the half-field during his first bullpen session since October 2025.

The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) placed near Robert's chest triggered as he was coming off the mound.

Robert had a 4.15 ERA in 15 appearances during the 2025 season with the Phillies.

The Phillies signed Cristopher Sánchez to a new six-year contract that guarantees him $107 million through 2032, with a 2033 club option worth $32.5 million that can increase up to $44.5 million.

Sánchez finished second in NL Cy Young Award voting in 2025 behind Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes.

Daniel Robert collapsed during his first bullpen session of spring training on March 19th, 2026.

Robert was hospitalized and is in stable condition after suffering a cardiac event.

Robert had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator placed near his chest over the winter.

Cristopher Sánchez signed a six-year contract with the Phillies worth $107 million through 2032, with a club option for 2033 worth $32.5 million that can increase to $44.5 million.

Sánchez finished second in NL Cy Young Award voting in 2025, going 13-5 with a 2.50 ERA in 32 starts.

Sánchez posted an MLB-best 8.0 wins above replacement in 2025.

The Phillies have committed $540 million in multiyear contracts to four starting pitchers beyond the 2026 season.

WHERE:

BayCare Ballpark, Clearwater, Florida

Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

WHEN:

Robert collapsed during his first bullpen session of spring training on March 19th, 2026.

Sánchez will be the Phillies’ Opening Day starter on March 24th, 2026.

Robert collapsed on March 19th, 2026, during his first bullpen session of spring training.

Sánchez's new contract was announced on March 22nd, 2026.

Sánchez will be the Phillies’ Opening Day starter on March 24th, 2026.

March 19th, 2026, when Daniel Robert collapsed

March 22nd, 2026, when Sánchez's contract was announced

Sánchez will be the Opening Day starter on March 24th, 2026.

WHY:

The Phillies chose to reward Cristopher Sánchez for his performance and potential as a pitcher, as stated by Dave Dombrowski.

The Phillies chose to reward Cristopher Sánchez for his performance and potential as a pitcher.

HOW:

The Phillies restructured Sánchez's original contract to provide a more lucrative deal, maintaining the salaries in the original deal through 2030 and adding $30 million in salary for 2031 and 2032.

Robert boarded an ambulance under his own power after collapsing.

The Phillies restructured Sánchez's original contract to provide a more lucrative deal.

(UPDATED March 23, 2026 11:22 UTC)

Daniel Robert, the Phillies relief pitcher, is out of the hospital and feeling okay after experiencing a cardiac event during his first bullpen session of spring training last Monday. Manager Rob Thomson described the incident as "very scary," noting that Robert collapsed and then tried to get back up before going down again. In other news, Cristopher Sánchez's new contract was announced yesterday, and he expressed gratitude for the recognition of his hard work, as he prepares to be the Phillies’ Opening Day starter this Sunday.

(UPDATED March 23, 2026 05:40 UTC)

In a concerning incident during spring training, Phillies relief pitcher Daniel Robert collapsed on the mound last Monday, with his implantable cardioverter defibrillator triggering as he left the field. Meanwhile, the Phillies announced on Thursday that they have signed pitcher Cristopher Sánchez to a lucrative six-year contract worth $107 million, rewarding him for his impressive performance, including a second-place finish in the NL Cy Young Award voting last season. Sánchez is set to be the Phillies’ Opening Day starter this Sunday, marking a significant moment for the team as they prepare for the new season.

(UPDATED March 22, 2026 23:25 UTC)

In a concerning incident during spring training, Phillies relief pitcher Daniel Robert collapsed during his first bullpen session on March 19 and was hospitalized, but he is now in stable condition after suffering a cardiac event. Meanwhile, the Phillies announced today that Cristopher Sánchez has signed a six-year contract worth $107 million, which includes a club option for 2033 that could increase to $44.5 million, rewarding him for his impressive performance last season. Sánchez, who finished second in NL Cy Young Award voting in 2025, will take the mound as the Opening Day starter on March 24.