The New York Mets' early-season struggles just got another blow, as center fielder Luis Robert Jr. was sent for an MRI on his ailing lower back, casting a shadow over the team's hopes for a turnaround.
Robert missed his third consecutive game against the Washington Nationals on Wednesday, sidelined by tightness in his lower back. The 28-year-old Cuban slugger, acquired from the Chicago White Sox in a January trade, has been a bright spot at times but is now facing the possibility of a stint on the injured list.
"Didn't improve much after treatment yesterday, so he's getting an MRI right now to see what we're dealing with," manager Carlos Mendoza said. "We've got to wait and see what the MRI says and what's the plan of attack, if we need to put him on the IL or continue to be day-to-day."
Robert's season has been a tale of two streaks. He burst out of the gates, batting .298 with 12 walks and an .866 OPS through his first 14 games. But the last 10 contests have been a struggle, as he's gone just 5-for-38 (.132) dating back to April 13. Overall, he's hitting .224 with two home runs, eight RBIs, and a .656 OPS.
Injuries are nothing new for Robert, who was limited to 210 games over the past two seasons with the White Sox due to hip and hamstring issues. An All-Star in 2023, his history of setbacks has the Mets treading carefully.
"Every time you send someone for an MRI, you're always concerned," Mendoza added. "But given the history of Luis the past couple of years with injuries, and us trying to get to know the player, the personality, that's what we've got right now."
With Robert out, the Mets have turned to Tyrone Taylor in center field, while MJ Melendez starts in left and rookie Carson Benge patrols right. Juan Soto, dealing with forearm discomfort in his throwing arm, served as the designated hitter for the seventh straight game as he works back from a right calf strain.
The Mets entered Wednesday at 10-19, a disappointing start for a team with high hopes. They snapped a rough stretch with an 8-0 win over the Nationals in the series opener, but the injury bug continues to bite. For now, the team waits on Robert's MRI results, hoping this is just a minor setback.
"We're doing everything in our power to kind of keep him on the field," Mendoza said, "and hopefully this is just a minor thing that we're dealing with for a couple of days and he's back out there soon."