In order to get a full season from Luis Robert Jr., the Mets need to keep him healthy through spring training.
The New York Mets are slow-crawling the preparations of new center fielder Luis Robert Jr., and for good reason. Robert has missed 114 games in the lat two seasons due to injuries, and the Mets need him to play a major role in their reconfigured outfield.
Robert finally made his spring training debut against the St. Louis Cardinals yesterday in Jupiter, and he played five innings while showcasing some of his tantalizing ability to make hard contact. His lone hit was a 107-mph single off Michael McGreevy, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, in a game the Mets lost 3-1.
“If we keep this guy healthy, the sky’s the limit,” Mendoza said. “We’ve seen it -- 2023 I think it was when he was healthy, he was one of the best players in the league. The tools are unbelievable -- a guy that can go get it in the outfield, he’s got speed, can steal bases, can hit it as far as anybody in the game, as well. So there’s a lot to like. We’ve just got to keep him on the field.”
The 2023 numbers show the potential, as Robert hit 36 home runs and stole 20 bases. His drop-off since then has been substantial, creating the impression that 2023 was a one-off, but the Mets clearly think otherwise. They believe the key to unlocking Robert’s potential again is about keeping him healthy so he can avoid the hip and hamstring injuries that have plagued him in the past.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza is determined to do this, and he thinks the key to the situation is about communication and giving Robert regular days off.
“It’s a conversation that I need to have with him after every game,” Mendoza said. “The good thing is he knows there’s a plan in place, and that we care and have the best interests for him.”
Robert will start playing back-to-back games immediately, since the Mets clearly don’t view him as a part timer, so he’ll be back in the lineup to day. The goal is to have Robert play in consecutive games for nine innings each, and so far the Mets’ plan for Robert is on track.
Robert has held up his end as well. He came to camp healthy, and he knows this is a make-or-break season for him. Have a good year, and he could be a regular with the Mets for years to come. More health issues, however, could transform him into a journeyman going forward.
“When I arrived here, I felt like I was 100 percent,” Robert said through an interpreter, after stepping off the field after his first game. “And right now, I still feel like I’m 100 percent.”