New York Mets' Luis Robert Jr. hits the injured list with disc herniation
NEW YORK (AP) — The depleted New York Mets took another hit Thursday when center fielder Luis Robert Jr. was placed on the 10-day injured list with lumbar spine disc herniation. Robert, 28, hasn’t played since the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader against the Colorado Rockies due to what the team said was lower back tightness.
An MRI administered on Wednesday revealed the injury. The IL move was retroactive to April 27. Manager Carlos Mendoza said Robert had an epidural and was instructed to rest for seven to 10 days.
He said team doctors were hopeful Robert could return shortly thereafter. “It’s just frustrating from both ends — for Luis, for us,” Mendoza said before the series finale against the Washington Nationals . “But we’ve got to get him back right.
” The IL stint is the 10th since 2021 for Robert, who has previously been sidelined by right hip, right knee, left wrist and left hamstring issues as well as blurred vision. He has played more than 110 games just once — in 2023, when he finished 12th in the AL MVP voting after hitting 38 homers for the Chicago White Sox. The Mets acquired Robert from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Luisangel Acuña in January in hopes the former Gold Glove Award winner could help improve their up-the-middle defense.
He was limited to back field duty for most of spring training in an attempt to keep him healthy for the regular season. Robert had a homer and five RBIs in the first two games of the season but has just five hits in his last 38 at-bats dating back to April 13 to drop his season average to . 224.