Sports · Baseball · 23 hrs ago
Luis Robert Jr. Enters Free Agency After Injury-Hit Season
Luis Robert Jr. is a free-agent outfielder after playing for the New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles in 2026.
He broke out with the Chicago White Sox in 2023, hitting 38 home runs and stealing 20 bases, but injuries and weaker hitting have limited him since.
In 2026, a back injury and hamstring discomfort restricted him to 230 plate appearances, and he hit .221 with 11 home runs.
His 97 wRC+ was closer to league average than his numbers in 2024 and 2025, but the Orioles declined his $20 million option for 2027.
Robert is now expected to seek a one-year contract, with a $14 million deal projected.
The Padres, Reds and Royals are among possible destinations, though no signing is reported.
Luis Robert Jr. is entering free agency after an injury-hit season split between the New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles.
He appeared in 230 plate appearances and batted .221/.300/.407, with 11 home runs and two stolen bases.
A lumbar spine disc herniation kept him out for three months with the Mets, and left hamstring discomfort sidelined him for three weeks with Baltimore.
His 97 wRC+ and .707 OPS were improvements on his 2024-25 production, but still below league average.
The Orioles paid a $2 million buyout instead of exercising his $20 million club option for 2027.
- Who
- Luis Robert Jr., an outfielder who played for the Mets and Orioles.
- What
- He is entering free agency after an injury-hit season.
- When
- The article was published on November 8, 2026.
- Where
- He played for the New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles.
- Why
- The Orioles declined his $20 million club option for 2027, making him a free agent.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Robert batted .264/.315/.542 with 38 home runs and 20 stolen bases in 145 games for the White Sox.
A right hip flexor strain limited Robert to 100 games.
Left hamstring strains limited him to 110 games with the White Sox.
The Mets acquired Robert from the White Sox in a trade for Luisangel Acuña and Truman Pauley.
The Orioles claimed Robert off waivers and took on roughly $5 million of his remaining salary.
The Orioles paid Robert a $2 million buyout instead of exercising his $20 million option for 2027.
- 2026 season plate appearances
- 230
- 2026 batting line
- .221/.300/.407
- 2026 home runs
- 11
- 2026 stolen bases
- 2
- 2027 club option
- $20 million
- Free-agent contract projection
- One year, $14 million