New York Mets outfielder Luis Robert Jr. took another encouraging step toward returning to the major league roster Friday night, delivering his first home run of his injury rehabilitation assignment while continuing to regain form after being sidelined with a lumbar spine disk herniation.
The veteran center fielder, who was acquired by the Mets from the Chicago White Sox during the offseason, has steadily improved after a slow start to his rehab stint. Following three difficult games with Triple-A Syracuse, Robert has found his rhythm since being transferred to Double-A Binghamton.
Batting in Binghamton’s 7-2 loss to the Hartford Yard Goats at Dunkin’ Park, Robert finished 2-for-3 and capped his night with a towering solo home run to left-center field in the eighth inning. The performance marked his fourth hit in two games with Double-A, where he is now 4-for-7. His other three hits have all been singles, highlighting a significant improvement from his earlier rehab appearances.
Robert struggled offensively during the opening stage of his assignment with Triple-A Syracuse, collecting just one hit in 10 at-bats while drawing one walk over three games. His recent surge, however, suggests the 28-year-old is beginning to regain both his timing and confidence at the plate.
The Mets have not established an official timetable for Robert’s return to the active roster. His rehabilitation assignment began on June 30, and the organization could allow him to use most, if not all, of the maximum 20-day rehab period before making a final decision on his activation.
When Robert is cleared to return, earning everyday playing time may not be automatic.
Highly regarded rookie A.J. Ewing has impressed while filling in as the club’s starting center fielder, providing consistent production on both sides of the ball. Following a 2-for-4 performance against the Boston Red Sox on Friday, Ewing is batting .282 with an .805 OPS, strengthening his case to remain in the lineup.
Still, Robert’s right-handed bat could address one of New York’s biggest offensive weaknesses. While Ewing has excelled overall, the left-handed hitter has experienced difficulties against left-handed pitching, creating the possibility that manager Andy Green could deploy the two outfielders in a platoon arrangement once Robert returns.
The Mets’ offense has struggled to produce consistently this season. Entering Friday, the club ranked 28th in Major League Baseball with a .687 team OPS, making Robert’s eventual return increasingly important as New York looks to improve its offensive production during the second half of the season.
Interim manager Andy Green acknowledged the impact Robert’s absence has had on the lineup.
Green noted that the Mets have clearly missed Robert’s right-handed bat, particularly in matchups against left-handed pitchers, where the club has struggled to generate offense throughout the year.
Although Robert’s season was interrupted by injury, he had already shown flashes of his talent before landing on the injured list. Over 98 plate appearances, he was batting .224 with a .656 OPS before being sidelined by the back injury.
Health has been the biggest obstacle throughout Robert’s major league career.
Since debuting in 2020, the talented outfielder has repeatedly battled injuries involving his hip, knee and hamstring, limiting his availability. His healthiest campaign came in 2023, when he appeared in 145 games for the White Sox, earning an All-Star selection after hitting 38 home runs, driving in runs consistently and stealing 20 bases.
The Mets are hoping Robert can recapture that level of production once he completes his rehabilitation. If he remains healthy and continues swinging the bat as effectively as he has during his recent Double-A appearances, he could provide a much-needed offensive boost for a club seeking greater consistency as the postseason race intensifies.
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