Apr 14, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; New York Mets center fielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) reacts after he was called out on strikes to end the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
New York Mets center fielder Luis Robert Jr. expects to return this season after his injured back has responded better over the last few days.
Speaking prior to his team’s series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday, Robert said he hopes to be running by the end of the week. He played catch out on the field before Wednesday’s loss — the first real evidence that he is trending in the right direction.
“I’ve been able to do a little bit of everything, just slowly,” Robert said. “I expect to come back. Honestly, in the beginning, when I first got hurt, I didn’t think it would take so long. But obviously, it’s a new injury, and as the days went on, it started getting worse.”
The 28-year-old has been sidelined since late April with lumbar spine disc inflammation. His rehab had been stagnant, with manager Carlos Mendoza saying multiple times in recent weeks that there had been no development.
It cast significant doubt on his future with the team just a few months into his debut campaign in Queens. He was acquired by the Mets over the winter in a trade that sent Luisangel Acuna to the Chicago White Sox.
The risks of bringing him on were well known. Robert has played more than 110 games in a season just once in his first seven MLB seasons, but his numbers when healthy prompted David Stearns to take a chance on him. He hit 38 home runs in 145 games with Chicago back in 2023.
Should Robert return this season, his role could be diminished. AJ Ewing has, for the most part, impressed in his first month as a major leaguer and as New York’s center fielder.
For more on Luis Robert Jr. and the Mets, visit AMNY.com
