There is finally some good White Sox news on the horizon. The team will become more watchable soon, as Luis Robert Jr. is only a few days away from returning to the team following a lengthy stay on the injured list. Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times has reported that Robert Jr. had a planned off day yesterday, is back in center field for the AAA Charlotte Knights tonight, and is “tracking” towards returning next Tuesday when the White Sox begin a short two-game series with the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Robert Jr.’s Injury History
After having a career year in 2023, Robert Jr. suffered a right hip flexor injury while running the bases in early April and has been on the shelf ever since. The 26-year-old superstar outfielder has only played in seven games this season. Injury issues have derailed a good portion of his career, and this season was no different. Robert Jr.’s goal before the season was to play at least 150 games. Teammates Eloy Jiménez and Yoán Moncada had the same goals. Unfortunately, none of them will even come close to reaching that number.
Robert Jr. Will Provide A Much Needed Boost
Robert Jr. is the best player on the White Sox roster, and the team has desperately missed his offensive production. The White Sox rank dead last in runs scored and have scored 50 runs less than the 29th-ranked Marlins. The team also ranks dead last in OPS, home runs, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. It has been a historically bad offensive team without Robert Jr., as they have already set offensive futility records that stood for over a century. Robert Jr.’s return will undoubtedly help get the White Sox bats going and elevate the lineup.
Given their lack of offensive production, it is not a surprise that the White Sox are terrible. Their 15-42 record makes them the worst team in MLB by a wide margin. To add insult to injury, they have lost eight games in a row and are 1-9 in their last ten games. While Robert Jr.’s return is a positive development in a miserable season, his presence on the roster epitomizes the Bugatti in a mobile home meme. The roster lacks talent, and one player can only do so much. He will not be able to carry the entire team on his back, and we will likely continue to see the team rack up losses even when he returns. But having him back in a few days will be nice.
Lots Of Changes Coming
Another aspect of the White Sox abysmal season is their trade deadline plans. The team will undoubtedly be sellers. Erick Fedde, Michael Kopech, and Tommy Pham are near certainties to find new homes before the July 30th deadline. Robert Jr. is also a common name that has swirled in hot stove rumors in recent weeks. He is by far the most valuable asset on the White Sox roster. Given the team’s youth movement, trading him for a haul could make sense. Whether or not that will happen remains to be seen, but in the meantime, watching a star player in a White Sox uniform again will be a welcome sight.
