DENVER -- After spending his first six MLB seasons with the White Sox, Luis Robert Jr. switched teams for the first time in January, when he was traded to the Mets. On Monday, the 29-year-old outfielder was on the move again, getting claimed off outright waivers by the Orioles.
It wasn't something Robert was expecting to happen. However, he was also 89ioeager to join a Baltimore squad in the thick of a crowded American League Wild Card race.
"Weird emotions. I’ve never changed teams midseason in this way," Robert said via team interpreter Brandon Quinones prior to the O's matchup vs. the Rockies at Coors Field on Tuesday. "But at the same time, excited. Trying to do whatever I can to help the team win.”
Robert believes he's well equipped to be a contributor for the surging Orioles, who entered Monday having won eight of their previous 10 games and were sitting at .500 (69-69) for the first time since April 30.
Although Robert's numbers from his 58-game stint in New York were a bit down -- a .223/.303/.399 slash line -- he has a ton of right-handed power (10 home runs) and he played well over the past month. In 21 games since Aug. 6, he hit .288 with a .922 OPS.
It helped that Robert was getting consistent at-bats after being on the injured list from April 27-July 20 due to a lumbar spine disc herniation.
"I would say health is the biggest thing," Robert said. "Unfortunately, that's been the thing that's kept me off the field for quite some time at different points in my career. So yeah, feeling good right now, being able to stay on the field, and I think that's what's led to that.”
The Orioles' outfield mix now includes Robert, Dylan Beavers, Colton Cowser, Leody Taveras and Heston Kjerstad (who was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday). Utility man Blaze Alexander is also capable of playing all three outfield spots, if needed.
Most of Robert's big league experience has come in center, where he's made 605 of his 613 MLB fielding appearances. However, he played eight games in left field for the Mets this year and said he's comfortable anywhere out there.
"Of course," Robert said. "It's not a problem at all."
Cowser could remain Baltimore's primary starter in center field. After all, the 26-year-old is having a remarkable defensive season, as evidenced by his game-saving homer-robbing catch in Monday's series-opening 2-1 win at Colorado.
But Robert will give the O's additional flexibility, and manager Craig Albernaz is looking forward to having the Ciego de Avila, Cuba, native's skill set on the club's roster.
"I think we all know our dimensions at Camden Yards and how big left is, and like we talk about, having the ability to have multiple center fielders out there," Albernaz said. "So, we have some options, which is awesome."
Albernaz (who was Cleveland's bench coach/associate manager during the 2024 and '25 seasons) saw plenty of Robert during his time in the AL Central.
"His track record, his pedigree, the tools are real," Albernaz said. "We’re excited to have him."
Robert knows what it's like to play in the postseason. His White Sox made it in back-to-back years in 2020 and '21, and he got seven games of playoff experience.
Now, Robert is hoping he can get back there with his new club.
"That's what you always play for from the moment you arrive in Spring Training," Robert said. "Unfortunately, it didn't happen with the Mets. But I'm excited to have this opportunity here and to try to do it with this team.”