White Sox’ Luis Robert Placed on 10-Day IL with Hamstring

The Chicago White Sox just took another hit in their 2024 season. Star center fielder Luis Robert Jr. landed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain.

Robert left Tuesday night’s tight 5-4 loss to the Kansas City Royals. He’d finally started to shake off his early-season slump, which makes this injury sting even more for everyone involved.

With Robert sidelined, the White Sox called up outfielder Will Robertson from Triple-A Charlotte. Now, the lineup looks a little different—again.

Luis Robert Jr.’s Season: A Tale of Two Halves

Coming into 2024, people expected big things from Robert after his All-Star year. But the first half of this season? Not so great.

Through his first 79 games, Robert hit just .190. He managed nine home runs, 35 RBIs, and racked up a whopping 93 strikeouts.

That rough stretch sparked some trade rumors. Maybe the White Sox would move him as part of their rebuild?

Post All-Star Break Surge

Instead, the team kept their faith in him. Almost right away, Robert flipped the script.

Since the All-Star break, he’s batting .298 with five homers and 18 RBIs in only 31 games. His hot streak gave Chicago’s offense a shot in the arm—finally, some of that power and speed the team’s been hoping for started to show up.

Robert’s Place in White Sox History

Even with the ups and downs this year, Robert’s career stats put him in rare company. In 577 games, the 28-year-old has piled up:

• 102 home runs
• 102 stolen bases

That mix of power and speed is special. Only Minnie Miñoso, Ray Durham, and Alexei Ramírez have also hit the 100-homer, 100-steal milestone in White Sox history.

A Modern Five-Tool Athlete

Robert’s resume screams “five-tool player”—at least, when he’s healthy. He’s got power, speed, range in center, and a strong arm.

The problem? He just can’t seem to stay on the field. Injuries have slowed him down right when he looks ready to break out as one of the American League’s scariest hitters.

The Impact of the Injury

Hamstring injuries are notoriously tough, especially for players who rely on speed. Robert’s recovery timeline is anyone’s guess.

He’s only on the IL for 10 days for now, but the White Sox won’t want to rush him back. If he aggravates the injury, he could miss even more time and lose the momentum he just found.

Opportunity for Will Robertson

With Robert out, Will Robertson gets his shot in the big leagues. Fresh up from Triple-A Charlotte, he brings some defensive flexibility and a bat that’s still coming along.

He hasn’t locked down a spot in Chicago’s crowded outfield yet. These next couple of weeks might be his best chance to prove he belongs—even after Robert returns.

Looking Ahead for the White Sox

The White Sox just lost Robert, right as he was finally getting hot. It’s a tough blow for a team that’s already been all over the place this season.

They’re not really in the postseason hunt, but these last few weeks could’ve been a chance to build some chemistry. Maybe even find a few pieces to hang onto for next year.

Robert’s second half looked promising. He showed flashes that made you think—maybe he’s still the guy to build around.

Now, it’s all about how fast he can bounce back. Can he pick up where he left off after the All-Star break?

This year, the Sox have missed both steady play and that spark from a true star. If Robert returns strong, that might be one of the few things worth watching as 2024 winds down.

If the White Sox want to change their story next season, they’ve got to keep Luis Robert Jr. healthy and rolling. That’s just the reality.

 
Here is the source article for this story: White Sox OF Robert (hamstring) on 10-day IL