White Sox Luis Robert Jr. Got Hurt During HR Derby
C’mon, you gotta be kidding me. The Chicago White Sox really can’t have nice things. Luis Robert Jr. got hurt during the Home Run Derby on Monday night in Seattle and now the All-Star center fielder is day-to-day with a calf injury.
The White Sox announced on Tuesday that Robert will not play in the 2023 All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park. The outfielder felt tightness in his right calf and then had further testing to see if it’s more serious. Robert will be re-evaluated later this week ahead of Chicago’s series against the Atlanta Braves that begins on Friday.
I mean, this is brutal. It might not be a big deal, but by now White Sox fans are used to the worst case scenario when it comes to injured players. And that’s the thing, Robert was finally having a healthy full season, playing in 89 of 92 games heading into the All-Star break.
Robert made his MLB debut with the White Sox during the shortened 2020 season, when he played 56 of 60 regular season games. However, since then the center fielder has not been able to break the 100-game mark, as he entered 2023 with 98 games as a season-high in games played.
The 25-year-old has been spectacular for the White Sox this season, earning his first All-Star Game appearance after posting an .899 OPS with 26 home runs in the first half.
Robert advanced to the second round of the Home Run Derby on Monday night, defeating Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman in the first round. Rutschman began the night by hitting 27 home runs, but Robert made it look relatively easy by crushing 28 bombs to go on in the competition.
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena beat Robert in the semifinals, out-homering the White Sox star 35-22.
UPDATE
Luis Robert Jr. says the calf issue isn’t anything serious.