Robert Jr. returns to Mets, batting 7th vs. Misiorowski and playing CF

MILWAUKEE -- The Mets finally have the roster they spent all winter trying to build.

Nearly three months after a lumbar spine disc herniation injury derailed his first season in Queens, Luis Robert Jr. returned to New York's lineup Monday after being activated from the 60-day injured list ahead of the Mets' 8-3 loss in the opener against the Brewers at American Family Field.

Robert started in center field and batted seventh against National League Cy Young Award favorite Jacob Misiorowski, marking Robert’s first Major League game since April 26.

For the Mets, the move represents more than just the return of another veteran bat.

It’s the first time this season the Mets have all of their planned offensive pieces available. Rather than searching for replacements, interim manager Andy Green now finds himself searching for at-bats.

"I think we're at a point now where we have a lot of options to make decisions to go win baseball games," Green said. "Our bench is deeper than it has been at any point in time this season. That has as much to do with the guys who came up and asserted themselves while opportunities were present for them."

One of those players is rookie A.J. Ewing.

Ewing seized the everyday center field job while Robert recovered, pairing elite defense with a 116 OPS+ to become one of the club's brightest surprises. Instead of simply reclaiming his old role, Robert now returns to an outfield rotation that suddenly has more capable players than available spots.

At least initially, Green expects Robert to play roughly two out of every three games, primarily in center field while allowing the rest of New York's athletic outfield to rotate around him.

"I think, realistically, two out of three days is probably what we're looking at at the outset," Green said. "We'll get a couple weeks down the road and decide what changes need to be made to that."

Green admitted those lineup decisions won't come easily. Robert's return caps a rehab process that lasted considerably longer than he originally expected.

The 28-year-old landed on the injured list April 30 after playing just 24 games following his offseason acquisition from the White Sox. New York had already taken a cautious approach throughout Spring Training, slowly building Robert up and sprinkling in rest days in hopes of keeping him healthy.

The back injury surfaced anyway.

"In regards to the process, it's obviously not a secret that it was a long one," Robert said. "Right now I feel good and now I'm just here to play my game.

"At the beginning I thought I was only going to be out for a few weeks at most. But my body didn't respond well to the treatment, so we had to kind of take the longer approach to it. We were trying to ramp up a bit quicker, and my body just wasn't ready at that point."

Robert finished his rehab assignment by going 10-for-31 (.323) with two home runs and a double across eight games between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse.

His focus now isn't on statistics or proving anything after an injury-shortened first half.

"To be healthy," Robert said when asked about his goals for the remainder of the season. "The goal is just to be on the field as much as I can. I think from a performance standpoint, as long as I'm on the field, I'll be fine."

Robert also praised Ewing for the way the rookie handled the opportunity created by his absence.

"He's done a tremendous job, to adjust to the league the way he has," Robert said. "I hope he continues to have success."

The Mets optioned infielder Eric Wagaman to Triple-A Syracuse to clear a roster spot for Robert after Wagaman hit .162 in 21 games. Infielder Zack Short, who was designated for assignment on Thursday, also cleared waivers and was outrighted to Syracuse.