The White Sox introduced this afternoon that they’ve positioned outfielder Luis Robert Jr. on the 10-day injured record with a left hamstring pressure. The transfer is retroactive to June 26. Chicago will make a corresponding roster transfer previous to Tuesday’s sport in opposition to the Dodgers, however could have simply 25 gamers obtainable for this afternoon’s sport in opposition to the Giants.
The truth that Robert wants an IL stint is hardly a shock on condition that he’s missed every of the membership’s final three video games, however (as famous by Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Solar Instances) the timing of the transfer is a bit uncommon. Robert was taking part in mild baseball actions earlier than at the moment’s sport in opposition to the Giants, and he was anticipated to be evaluated additional on Monday with the intention to decide whether or not or not an IL stint can be obligatory. Maybe Robert’s pregame actions at the moment made it clear to the Sox {that a} journey to the shelf can be wanted. It’s additionally price noting that IL stints may be backdated a most of three days, so any time spent ready after at the moment would’ve successfully lengthened the minimal period of time that Chicago can be with out their outfielder.
The White Sox are absolutely hoping this might be a minimal stint or near it. The likelihood for a Robert commerce has been a serious subject of the rumor mill for years now, and after the membership declined to commerce him at varied different factors all through their rebuild for worry of promoting low on their mercurial and oft-injured star, his worth might now be at its lowest level ever.
Robert has hit simply .185/.270/.313 throughout 73 video games this yr. Whereas he’s swiped 23 bases and is strolling at a career-high 10.2% clip, he’s putting out greater than 30% of the time and has the worst energy numbers of his profession. Even his once-elite middle discipline protection isn’t holding up fairly in addition to it has in earlier years. Whereas his +3 Outs Above Common is actually a stable quantity, it’s a far cry from the +13 OAA Robert posted again in 2023.
Between Robert’s declining offense and excessive wage, it may very well be tough for the White Sox to search out takers on the outfielder this summer time. Maybe that’s why the Sox are reportedly keen to incorporate money alongside Robert with the intention to facilitate getting a deal completed. Robert is due round $7.5MM for the rest of this season, but when the White Sox had been keen to pay a major quantity of that down it may be simpler for them to work out a commerce.
In spite of everything, Robert’s offensive potential remains to be immense even amid his latest stretch of accidents and ineffectiveness, and even when he doesn’t attain that ceiling including a plus defensive middle fielder with pace to the lineup may very well be precious for a workforce just like the Guardians or Braves that has struggled to search out manufacturing in middle discipline this yr. Robert can also be nonetheless hitting a strong .268/.406/.464 in opposition to left-handed pitching this yr, so maybe a workforce just like the Rangers or Giants that struggles in opposition to southpaws may have curiosity in bringing him into the fold as nicely.
All of this, after all, will hinge on Robert returning in comparatively brief order with sufficient time to show himself moderately wholesome and efficient earlier than the commerce deadline. Even delicate hamstring strains can usually required at the least a few weeks of restoration, and if Robert isn’t able to go by the point the White Sox come again from the All-Star break that would go away the membership in a little bit of a bind as they attempt to get what they will for the previous All-Star. Within the meantime, they’ll proceed turning to Michael A. Taylor to cowl middle discipline whereas Robert recovers.
