A right-hander, he played all or part of nine seasons in Major League Baseball for the Cincinnati Reds (1984–90) and the Milwaukee Brewers (1990–92).

He spent the next four years moving through the Reds' farm system before making his major league debut on August 14, 1984.

[2] After being sent back to the bullpen for several games, Robinson got another chance at starting on September 2 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

This time, he was much more successful, as he recorded a complete game, giving up just seven hits to gain his first major league win, 7–1.

In 1986, Robinson, who was nicknamed "The True Creature" by then-Reds manager Pete Rose,[4] worked solely in relief, appearing in 70 games, going 10–3 with a 3.24 earned run average (ERA) and 14 saves.

After starting the 1990 season 2–2 with a 4.88 ERA in six games, the Reds traded him along with Bob Sebra to the Brewers for Glenn Braggs and Billy Bates on June 9, 1990.