White Sox’s Luis Robert Jr. Targeting Mid-May Return From Hip Flexor Strain
Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. could return to the lineup by mid-May, GM Chris Getz told reporters over the weekend.
The 26-year-old, a first-time All-Star last season, is currently on the 10-day IL with a right hip flexor strain. He hasn’t played since April 5th after tests revealed he had suffered a Grade 2 strain.
Initially, many feared Robert could be sidelined through the All-Star break. But now, after Getz described his recovery as “really positive,” it appears he remains on track for a first-half return.
In the meantime, the White Sox plan to continue to use Tommy Pham and Rafael Ortega as their primary options in centre field. Andrew Benintendi and Robbie Grossman could also rotate through when needed.
The season has started miserably for Chicago, as the rebuilding franchise’s 6-22 record is second-worst in the majors behind only the 6-23 Miami Marlins. Barring an earth-shattering recovery, both organizations seem poised to become sellers ahead of this summer’s trade deadline.
Things have looked particularly bleak in the south side of Chicago without Robert, whose track record includes several prior trips to the IL since his first non-COVID-shortened big-league season in 2021.
The 2023 Silver Slugger was limited to just 68 games in ‘21 after tearing his right hip flexor – the same one he strained earlier this month. In ‘22, groin and wrist ailments capped his availability at 98 games. While he appeared in a career-best 145 contests last season, he finished the campaign on the shelf due to a left MCL sprain.
Robert enjoyed the top statistical performance of his major league career prior to injuring his knee, posting career highs in hits (144), doubles (36), home runs (38), RBIs (80) and fWAR (4.9) while slashing .264/.315/.542. He finished 12th in American League MVP voting last fall.
This season, the right-handed-hitting outfielder has gone 6-for-28 (.214) over his first seven games with the White Sox, recording four extra-base hits – including two home runs – while driving in four. He’s struck out 11 times while walking only once.
There is no substitution for Robert’s bat, nor is there for his glove either, as he finished tied for second with Toronto’s Kevin Kiermaier in outs above average (+13) among major league centre-fielders a season ago, with both placing behind Colorado’s Brenton Doyle (+15).
While Robert’s defence, like his offence, also endured a slow start, leading to his -2 defensive runs saved and -1 OAA, things have become even worse in centre for the White Sox since his departure. As such, they sit tied for 29th in OAA (-2) and 30th in DRS (-5).
Needless to say, the 2020 Gold Glove winner can’t return to action soon enough.
Robert signed a six-year, $50-million contract extension with Chicago a few months before making his big-league debut in 2020. It runs through 2025 and includes two $20-million club options with $2 million buyouts in ‘26 and ‘27.
If both options are exercised, the total value of Robert’s deal will increase to $88 million.
-Thomas Hall
Twitter: @Hall_Thomas_
Photo: D. Benjamin Miller. This file is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication