CHICAGO -- Luis Robert Jr. might have played his final game of the 2025 season for the White Sox.
But based on general manager Chris Getz’s comments prior to his team’s series finale with the Royals on Wednesday night at Rate Field, it doesn’t sound as if the center fielder, who possesses five-tool talent, has played his last game for the organization.
“We are committed to Luis,” said Getz of Robert, who was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday afternoon with a left hamstring strain. “You look back at what he’s done with our team, even a little bit before the second half began. He’s done really well against lefties and he’s had glimpses against righties. You look at the defense, the baserunning. He was showing everyone what he’s capable of doing. He can be such a boost to this lineup and this team.
“Injuries are part of the game. They have unfortunately been part of his history. He has really risen in terms of the impact on this team and the league. A lot of that quality work happened in this second-half window. For what he’s capable of doing, the talent, the impact he can have on this club, we like having Luis Robert here.”
Robert, who turned 28 on Aug. 3, suffered a Grade 2 strain while running to first on a groundout in the second inning of a 5-4 loss to the Royals on Tuesday. He was replaced defensively by Michael A. Taylor in the fourth, and Robert’s ensuing MRI showed the issue.
This sort of injury will leave Robert out of action for “several weeks,” according to Getz. With only 29 games remaining after Wednesday, there’s not a great deal of time for Robert to heal and return.
"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,” Getz said. “It's unfortunate news. Luis is very disappointed, as you would expect. Obviously it’s a hit for us because Luis had been playing so well.
“His resurgence in the second half was documented. He was impacting our team, and the reason we have been able to get more wins is because a lot had to do with Luis Robert’s performance on both sides of the ball. The other night [Sunday], he had one of the better center-field games I’ve seen from him. … But at this point, we will get him healthy and prepare him to come back here or get ready for next season.”
Since the All-Star break, Robert has slashed .298/.352/.456 with five home runs, 18 RBIs, 24 runs scored and 11 stolen bases over 31 games. He also has a .258/.369/.473 slash line with six homers and 16 RBIs over 113 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers this season.
There have been times of offensive brilliance during Robert’s six-year career with the White Sox – see his 38 homers, 36 doubles and 20 stolen bases over 145 games in 2023. There have been times where he has struggled, as evidenced by the ‘24 season and the first three months of ‘25.
Robert’s defense, baserunning, work ethic and clubhouse presence have been exceptional. So, it’s not surprising the White Sox would be inclined to pick up his $20 million team option for ‘26 after not moving him at the Trade Deadline. It doesn’t necessarily mean he wouldn’t be traded this upcoming offseason, but as Getz indicated, the White Sox like what they have in Robert at the center of the diamond.
“He's played extremely hard,” said White Sox manager Will Venable of Robert. “Every time I tell him that he's got a day off, he fights me on it. And it's just because he’s a guy that wants to be out there, he wants to play hard, he wants to set the tone for the guys and compete. Not to have him is going to be tough.”
Outfielder Will Robertson was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte to take Robert’s roster spot.
“At his floor of just defense and baserunning, there's a tremendous amount of value,” Getz said of Robert. “Then obviously, he's got the ability to hit as many home runs as he did in 2023, but he doesn't have to do that to still give a boost to this team. So that just speaks to how dynamic of a player he is and can be, and we're going to continue to support him."