Luis Robert Jr. knew something wasn’t quite right during his last couple of steps while running to first base after hitting a grounder to shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. in the second inning Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals.

The Chicago White Sox center fielder was replaced in the fourth inning. And the next day, he learned he would be out for an extended period with a left hamstring strain.

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“At first, yes, I knew that it was a little worse than before but I wasn’t expecting it to be like this bad,” Robert said through an interpreter Friday at Rate Field. “I thought maybe 10 days, something like that. But definitely not something like this.”

Robert is on the 10-day injured list, but general manager Chris Getz said Wednesday that what generally comes with a Grade 2 strain “is several weeks (out).”

“We don’t know precisely, at this point of the year, time is not necessarily a friend with players returning,” Getz said. “So there is a chance that perhaps he doesn’t make it back by the end of the year. Our focus at this point is addressing the hamstring.”

Asked if he’s expecting to play again in 2025, Robert said, “That is my mindset. But we’ll see if we have enough time.”

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The season has been filled with ups and downs for Robert. He is slashing .223/.297/.364 with 14 home runs, 53 RBIs, 52 runs and 33 stolen bases in 110 games.

Robert was having a productive second half, slashing .298/.352/.456 in 31 games since the All-Star break at the time of the injury.

“It’s no secret my first half was a bad one, but in the second half, everything was going my way,” Robert said. “I was feeling good in the outfield. I was feeling good at the plate. My body was feeling good.

“I was just focused on staying healthy and play as many games as I could because that’s what you want as a baseball player. But unfortunately this happened and there’s nothing I can do.”

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Robert was encouraged by adjustments that were paying off.

“The key was just trying to simplify my mechanics to eliminate any extra movement that I was doing,” Robert said. “That helped me to put the barrel on the ball in a more consistent way, be better recognizing pitches in the strike zone.”

Manager Will Venable noted Robert’s impact beyond the numbers.

“He’s been really a tone setter for us, a guy who maybe doesn’t do it vocally every day but certainly with the way he prepares for games, the way he takes care of himself, obviously the way he plays on the field,” Venable said Thursday. “He’s really been a guy that’s set the standard for our group.”

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Teammates have followed.

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“That guy is like my brother, I see him as like a big brother,” infielder Miguel Vargas said Friday. “We played together for a long time in Cuba, 10 years ago. For us, all this that’s happened, playing in the big leagues together, it was kind of a dream. For me in particular, I really enjoy playing with him.

“He’s the best player I’ve ever seen on the field. He can put on a show everywhere on the field: running, fielding, hitting. It’s exciting watching him and I’m really proud for him. Hopefully we’ll be back soon next year too.”

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Looking ahead, the Sox hold $20 million club options for Robert for both 2026 and 2027, with $2 million buyouts for either season. Getz said Wednesday that “we are committed to Luis.”

“I know that it’s a possibility of me staying here for two years — that’s what my contract is,” Robert said. “I will be happy to stay here as long as they want me here. But I also know that this is something that things can change. But yeah, definitely I would like to stay here. I want to be part of this team going forward into the future. It’s good.

“I definitely would like to stay here. It’s also good to hear that they are thinking of me for next year and to be a part of this team.”

Robert’s immediate focus is on the road to recovery.

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“Right now, it’s just regular treatment,” he said. “Trying to let my body heal. We’ll go from there.”