Luis Robert Jr. Returns to the New York Mets Outfield

The New York Mets activated outfielder Luis Robert Jr. from the injured list on Monday, ending a nearly three-month absence caused by a lumbar spine disc herniation. He entered the starting lineup against the Milwaukee Brewers, playing center field and batting seventh.

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Robert’s activation prompted the Mets to option infielder Eric Wagaman to Triple-A Syracuse and outright infielder Zack Short to the same affiliate. Prior to his injury, the 28-year-old 2023 All-Star was hitting .224 with a .327 on-base percentage, two home runs, eight RBIs and two steals in 24 games. While Robert was sidelined, A.J. Ewing filled most of the center-field duties, and Carson Benge rotated among all three outfield spots. Wagaman had been hitting .162/.262 with two homers and four RBIs in 21 games, and Short posted a .167 average with a .304 on-base percentage in six games for New York after being claimed off waivers from Detroit.

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Interim manager Andy Green indicated that Robert will primarily occupy center field for the time being, noting the team’s need to balance playing-time consistency with the flexibility of other outfielders. Green said the Mets will monitor Robert’s health over the next two weeks before finalizing any longer-term adjustments to the outfield rotation.

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• “He's going to be a part of the outfield mix,” — Andy Green, Mets interim manager

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• “I think realistically, two out of three days is probably what we're looking at, at the outset here.” — Andy Green

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• “I think realistically, two out of three days is probably what we're looking at, at the outset here. We'll get a couple of weeks down the road and decide what changes need to be made to that.” — Andy Green

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• “I think that's where we're at right now, in the short term,” — Andy Green

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These statements underscore the Mets’ cautious approach as they reintegrate Robert while maintaining depth across the outfield.

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