Five months ago, with the Phillies’ payroll poised to surpass the highest luxury-tax threshold, John Middleton sat in his spring-training office and mulled over a question. Is there a point when the owner will stop spending?

Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski made the move Monday, optioning the 40-year-old reliever to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

David Robertson’s return has sparked high expectations. He’s a veteran over 40 years old who knows the Philadelphia Phillies well—and behind his comeback are three clear reasons he recently revealed.