Robert has dealt with injuries below the waist in recent years, limiting him to 105 games on average in 2024 and 2025 with the White Sox. The Mets are prioritizing a cautious ramp-up after acknowledging concerns with his recent history of left MCL sprains, a right hip flexor strain, and recurring hamstring issues that interrupted the 2025 season.
When healthy, Robert possesses elite tools—top-tier bat speed, strong sprint speed, and high exit velocity—evidenced by his 2023 performance that included 38 homers, 20 stolen bases, and a career-high 145 games. Nonetheless, his strikeout rate and contact consistency have trended areas of concern, with a notable decline in zone contact and a high whiff rate last season.
The plan aims to balance his upside with durable availability, leveraging the Mets’ medical and training staff to address mechanics and conditioning before he appears in games. Robert’s offensive upside remains substantial if he can stay on the field, but continued health monitoring will be a critical storyline as spring progresses.
This article originally appeared on Heavy Sports and has been summarized for clarity and publication purposes.
