Luis Robert Jr. suffers a left hamstring strain, putting the rest of his season with the Chicago White Sox in jeopardy.
Aug 18, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) celebrates with teammates after scoring a run against the Atlanta Braves in the eighth inning at Truist Park.
Photo Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The Chicago White Sox have placed center fielder Luis Robert Jr. on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain, dealing another blow to the struggling franchise and potentially ending the season for one of their key players.
The Injury Details
Robert initially suffered the hamstring injury during Tuesday night’s 5-4 loss to the Kansas City Royals, when he reported soreness in his left leg and was replaced by Michael A. Taylor before the fifth inning. The White Sox announced his IL placement on Wednesday, with the move made retroactive to Thursday.
The severity became clearer when White Sox general manager Chris Getz acknowledged that Robert could be done for the season after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. Manager Will Venable indicated the team would take a cautious approach with their veteran outfielder.
Timing Couldn’t Be Worse
The injury comes at a particularly frustrating time for Robert, who had been showing signs of breaking out of a season-long slump. After struggling through the first half of 2025 with a .190 batting average, nine home runs, 35 RBIs, and 93 strikeouts in his first 79 games, Robert had found his groove since the All-Star break.
Over his last 31 games, the 28-year-old center fielder was hitting .298 (34-for-114) with five home runs and 18 RBIs, finally resembling the player who made the All-Star team in 2023. His overall season numbers still reflect his early struggles: .223/.297/.364 with 14 home runs and 53 RBIs over 110 games.
Trade Deadline Implications
Robert’s injury raises questions about the White Sox’s decision to keep him at the trade deadline. The outfielder had been the subject of trade rumors throughout the season, with many expecting Chicago to move him as part of their rebuilding efforts. However, the White Sox opted to retain Robert, viewing him as a key piece of their cultural transformation alongside young talent like shortstop Colson Montgomery.
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The team owes Robert the remainder of his $15 million salary for this season and holds a pair of $20 million options for 2026 and 2027 with a $2 million buyout. His injury and inconsistent performance this season could complicate future trade discussions, however, when asked about Robert Jr.’s future with the team, GM Chris Getz says that the team remains comitted to keeping the Cuban slugger in the mix.
Historical Context
Despite his struggles in 2025, Robert remains one of the more accomplished players in White Sox history. He joins an exclusive club with Minnie Miñoso, Ray Durham, and Alexei RamÃrez as the only players to record at least 100 home runs and 100 steals with the franchise, having reached 102 homers and 102 steals in 577 career games.
This season, Robert had been one of the bright spots defensively and on the basepaths, ranking fifth in the American League with 33 stolen bases while playing solid defense in center field.
Roster Moves and Replacements
To fill Robert’s roster spot, the White Sox recalled outfielder Will Robertson from Triple-A Charlotte. With Robert sidelined, manager Venable has capable replacements in Taylor and Andrew Benintendi to handle center field duties.
The team also made additional roster moves, with left-hander Jake Palisch clearing waivers and being outrighted to Double-A Birmingham, reducing the 40-man roster to 39 players.
What’s On Tap Next
If Robert’s season is indeed over, it would cap a disappointing year for both player and franchise. The White Sox entered the season with hopes that Robert could return to his All-Star form and potentially be moved for valuable prospects. Instead, they’re left with an injured star player and more questions about their rebuilding timeline.
For Robert, the focus now shifts to recovery and preparation for 2026, when he’ll look to prove he can still be the dynamic player Chicago envisioned when they signed him to his current contract.
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