Robert's season over after landing on IL with knee injury

CHICAGO -- Luis Robert Jr. has espoused a theory for on-field success to reporters numerous times during the 2023 season.

If the multitalented White Sox center field plays every day, he’s going to do good things. And Robert lived that idea for most of this All-Star campaign.

Robert's season came to an end one week early on Tuesday, when he was placed on the 10-day injured list with a mild MCL sprain in his left knee prior to the series opener against the D-backs. Robert had a goal of playing 150 games, a goal he even wrote down during Spring Training, but had to settle for a career-high 145 with a career-high 38 home runs, 36 doubles, 90 runs scored and 80 RBIs.

The injury came about when Robert swiped his 20th base in the first inning of Sunday’s rain-shortened victory at Fenway Park, making him the first player in franchise history with at least 35 homers, 35 doubles and 20 stolen bases in the same season. He is expected to recover via rest and rehabilitation in 2 to 4 weeks, after leaving Sunday’s contest in the second inning.

“It was when I slid,” said Robert of the injury through interpreter Billy Russo. “As soon as I did it, I felt something in my knee and right away I knew something was wrong. I tried to play through, but after the fly ball to center field, it wasn’t good.”

“I know that he had goals to play 150 games this year,” White Sox general manager Chris Getz said. “He's not a guy that likes to go on the IL. But it's also an opportunity at this point to celebrate a tremendous season by one of the best players in baseball.”

Outfielder Tyler Naquin had his contract selected by the White Sox from Triple-A Charlotte, while right-handed reliever Jimmy Lambert was transferred to the 60-day injured list. Lambert, who has been on the injured list since Sept. 4, underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle on Sept. 20. He is expected to fully recover in 2-3 months.

But the story here is Robert and his incredible overall campaign which could result in Silver Slugger and Gold Glove honors. Robert ranks among the American League leaders in home runs (second), extra-base hits (second, 75), slugging percentage (third, .542), total bases (fifth, 296), OPS (tied-sixth, .857) and doubles (seventh).

He is the only player in MLB this season to record 35-plus doubles, 35-plus homers, 80-plus RBIs, 90-plus runs scored and 20-plus stolen bases. Robert’s 38 homers are a franchise record by a center fielder, the most by an outfielder since Jermaine Dye (44) in 2006 and the most by a White Sox player since Todd Frazier (40) in 2016.

“I’ve been around players with that type of ability, and I really believe this: If I was Robert, I would never set goals for myself,” White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. “You might achieve those goals and you might do it in August.

“Who knows what his potential can be. He hit 38 this year, he might hit 45 next year. He might hit 35 next year. He might hit 35 and steal 35 bases instead of 20. I told him, 'You’ve had a great year. You’ve played a ton. You’ve played more than you ever have. You’ve played through pain, you’ve played through soreness. You’ve done everything on the baseball field that you could possibly do. Don’t worry about the numbers you think you need to put on next year. Just worry about improving.'”

That improvement thought already has crossed the mind of Robert.

“You can learn every year, and I definitely learned a lot this year,” Robert said. “For next year, I would like to be better driving in runners in scoring position. In situations of the game, there’s some stuff I think I can do better, too.

“Be more aware of what the pitchers want to do with me in different situations. Don’t chase too many pitches. Those are things I can improve for next year.”