Luis Robert Jr.’s goal before the start of the season was to play 150 games. He is just five games short of that goal. He is also just two home runs shy of 40. Unfortunately, it appears that he is going to fall short of both of those marks.
Robert is heading to the IL. The White Sox announced on Tuesday that Robert will miss 2-4 weeks with a mild MCL strain on his left knee. Tyler Naquin will be joining the team from Charlotte to fill his roster spot, according to Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times. With just a week left in the season, this trip to the IL marks the end of Robert's 2023 campaign.
Robert left Sunday’s game against the Red Sox early with a sore knee that was caused by stealing his 20th bag of the season in the first inning. He was then replaced by Trayce Thompson in center field in the second inning.
As Robert slid, his left knee got stuck in the dirt, which had a consistency of mud to the rainy conditions at Fenway Park. This caused an awkward-looking slide as he tried to stay on the base. Robert was evaluated on Monday and the injury does not appear to be serious. However, given the season is already lost there is no point in risking the future of the franchise for some meaningless September games.
The stolen base made Robert the first player in franchise history to hit at least 35 home runs, 35 doubles, and swipe 20 bases in one season. Magglio Ordonez is the only other White Sox player to have a 30/30/20 season, a feat he accomplished during the 2001 season.
While the accolade is nice it is a frustrating end to the season for Robert. The 26-year-old was putting the finishing touches on a masterful season.
Robert has played in a career-high 145 games and batted .264 with 38 home runs, 80 RBIs, and a .857 OPS. His expected slugging percentage ranks in the top nine percent in the MLB. On the defensive end, he has an OAA of 13 which ranks in baseball’s top 98 percentile.
The White Sox say Robert will be ready to resume baseball activity with rest and rehabilitation in 2-4 weeks.
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