Luis Robert Jr. was activated from the injured list on Monday, rejoining the Mets outfield after a two-and-a-half-month absence due to a lumbar spine disc herniation. His return to the active roster necessitated roster moves, resulting in Carson Benge being placed on the bench for the team's series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Robert expressed his primary goal for the remainder of the season is to remain healthy and on the field as much as possible. "The rest, from a performance standpoint, I think as long as I am on the field I will be OK," he said through an interpreter.
Before his injury, Robert recorded a .224 batting average, .327 on-base percentage, and .329 slugging percentage with two home runs in 24 games this season. Interim manager Andy Green indicated that Robert is expected to play approximately two out of every three days in center field, a position that also sees Juan Soto playing when not serving as designated hitter. Jorge Polanco is also a candidate for the DH spot.
There is a possibility the Mets may use Robert to showcase his abilities prior to the Aug. 3 trade deadline. The team is also set to face former prospect Brandon Sproat, who was traded to the Brewers in January as part of the deal for Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers. Sproat has posted a 5.16 ERA in 18 appearances, 16 of which were starts, this season. He debuted with the Mets in the previous year, finishing with a 4.79 ERA in four starts.
"I think you never want to trade your prospects away when you run a farm system," Green stated, reflecting on the trade. "Jett and Brandon were two guys we did like a lot… [Sproat] was a guy we drafted in the first round and liked the entire time we had him. Those were tough decisions, but when you are going to get a frontline starter, it always costs you something."
To make space on the 26-man roster for Robert, Eric Wagaman was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. Additionally, Zack Short was outrighted to Syracuse.