Orioles claim Luis Robert Jr. off waivers as Mets shed $5 million
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Mets failed to trade Luis Robert Jr. before the Aug. 3 deadline, but it turns out his departure from the organization was delayed only a few weeks.
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On Monday, the veteran outfielder was claimed off waivers by the Orioles. The move allows Robert to potentially be eligible for the postseason and will save the Mets about $5 million.
The Mets held an option on Robert’s contract for next season worth $20 million that they were unlikely to exercise.
Robert, who arrived in a January trade with the White Sox, was largely a disappointment for the Mets but enhanced his value with a strong final month for the club, posting an .841 OPS with six homers.
“I think he closed out the chapter really well,” interim manager Andy Green said before the Mets faced the Rays at Tropicana Field. “Certainly, the chapters that preceded the last one were frustrating from an availability perspective.”
Robert appeared in only 58 games for the Mets and posted a .702 OPS. He spent nearly three months on the injured list rehabbing a lumbar spine disc herniation, continuing his trend in recent seasons of missing significant action.
Jorge Polanco, who appeared in only 37 games for the Mets before undergoing season-ending ankle surgery last week, was another celebrated offseason addition on which the organization misfired.
Mark Vientos was activated from the injured list to replace Robert, a day after hitting three homers in a minor league rehab game. Vientos started Monday’s game at DH.
Justin Hagenman will be activated from the injured list and start Wednesday’s series finale, according to Green. The right-hander will be a Sept. 1 roster addition, along with outfielder Nick Morabito. Hagenman’s addition to the rotation will allow extra rest for Christian Scott in his first season back following Tommy John surgery.
“We’re pretty committed to ensuring he doesn’t pitch on four days’ rest for the remainder of the season,” Green said.
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Hagenman has been rehabbing a rib fracture since spring training.
Juan Soto was on the bench after playing two straight games following his return from a calf strain. Soto will likely be relegated to DH during this series, according to Green, because the Rays play on artificial turf.
