Luis Robert’s 2022 season is officially over, after the White Sox placed the outfielder on the 10-day injured list due to a sprained left wrist. Left-hander Tanner Banks was also optioned to Triple-A Charlotte, while outfielder Mark Payton was called up from Charlotte and righty Joe Kelly was reinstated from the medical leave list.
Robert’s wrist has been bothering him since August 12, when he suffered a sprain while trying to steal a base in a 2-0 Chicago win over the Tigers. White Sox GM Rick Hahn told reporters (including The Athletic’s James Fegan) that Robert’s injury was re-aggravated after he was hit by a pitch on September 6 during a game against the Mariners, which led to Robert receiving more sporadic playing time over the last few weeks. Three different hand specialists determined that there isn’t any structural damage, Hahn said, but Robert just needs time off to fully heal.
As a result, Robert has been shut down, ending his season with a .284/.319/.426 slash line and 12 home runs over 401 plate appearances. His wrist problem seemed to sap his effectiveness at the plate, as Robert had only a .414 OPS over his final 47 PA of 2022.
Robert also missed time due to blurred vision and the COVID-related IL this season, and thus played in only 98 of Chicago’s games. Between his absences this season and the hip flexor strain that cost him a big chunk of the 2021 campaign, Robert has played in only 166 of a possible 324 games since the start of the 2021 season. When he was able to play, Robert posted great numbers in 2021 and his 2022 production was still solidly above average (112 wRC+), but it still represents a disappointment for a player who has shown glimpses of superstar potential.
The White Sox can only hope that Robert is able to fully heal up over the winter, and is then able to stay on the field for most or all of the 2023 campaign. Robert’s injury-plagued year is one of but several “if only…” laments South Side fans have about a White Sox season that is looking increasingly like it will fall short of the playoffs. The 76-75 Sox are on a four-game losing streak, and have dropped to a 76-75 record, falling eight games behind the Guardians in the AL Central and 6.5 games out of the wild card race.
This guy seems pretty brittle. And a bit Richard Cranium-ish.
Well sliding head first into a second baseman’s leg will do that. They need a coach that will hold these players accountable for their play and force them to work on fundamentals in the off season and during the season. Same with their conditioning and diet to try to stifle off those soft tissue injuries
Robert, Moncada, Crochet and Kopech are hurt every year. This should be expected by now.
You forgot Jimenez
Your right, thank you.
Fragile beast. Meh.
Mr. Glass goes down again
Porcelain doll
What a pitty!! Souless Team with anything left in the tank. The future is very clouded on the southside.
I wonder how the Sox approach this offseason. They’re still the most talented lineup in the division, but they clearly lack speed and defense. Robert being healthy would help. Moving on from Abreu and letting Sheets/Vaughn play at 1B instead of a corner OF spot would help. They could really use some more speed, especially with the pickoff rule changes likely meaning more SBs.
Someone showed a graphic of stolen bases in their lineup vs the Guardians the other day and Josh Naylor – a lumbering 1B coming off of a career threatening ankle injury- had more stolen bases (5) than all but one or two White Sox. The Guardians are only getting younger and faster, that advantage is only growing. The White Sox need to close that gap some.
@col_chest
First of all, the Guardian lineup is much better than the Chisox lineup. And,
Two, Abreu is the most clutch, and the heart and soul of this white Sox team.
You must listen too often and believe, every bit of koolaide that comes out of Steve Stone.
I agree that moving on from Abreu is a tough sell for them. But given their payroll and roster construction it seems like that’s the easy answer. Sheets and Vaughn really should not be in the OF so much. Eloy is at DH. The only other position you can move them is 1B.
He’s also basically the only big money coming off the books for a team that was around $190m in payroll this year. They’ve got arbitration raises for some notable players (Cease going through first time). Bringing Abreu back would likely tie up whatever budget is available to them, and would leave them trying to flip Sheets/Vaughn.
I actually had to Google Steve Stone, so no I’m not a fan of his.
Sox needs in order of importance:
1. Get a real Manager
2. Hire some competent trainers and Dr’s
3. Keep Jerry sedated and in Arizona
4. Give Kenny Williams a nice retirement package.
5. Give Hahn control over the player decisions.
It’s still a young team with plenty of potential to be great. But as we’ve all seen, Those windows can close fast if you snooze.
Correction: it’s a team with some young players with plenty of potential, but not a young team. Their average age, though, is 29.76, good for 3rd-oldest in baseball.
I’m not trying to be pedantic here, either. Overspending on aging bullpen pieces doesn’t help. Abreu, Cueto, Grandal, Joe Kelly and Lynn are all probably in the last few years of their careers. Sox will be forced to find replacements, but unfortunately, don’t have a very deep farm system to do so.
Lose Leury, Harrison,, Grandal, and Engel. Move Moncada off of 3rd….he hits like a 2nd baseman, and put him in Leury’s current swingman role. Sign Nolan Arenado (5 yrs @ $40 mil per) and resign Elvis Andrus and Johnny Cueto.. Grandal for no more than 5.5 mil. Trade Giolito and one of either Vaughn or Jiminez. Pick up 3 middle inning relievrers That is all
Due is always hurt. This team tends to get hurt a lot, not think a lot, etc. I agree with dumping Leury, Harrison, Grandal, Engel…..They are done.