NEW YORK -- Mets outfielder Luis Robert Jr. is headed to the 10-day injured list with lumbar spine disc herniation. Robert underwent testing on his back on Wednesday, five days after first complaining of discomfort in the area.
Robert received an injection Thursday and will be down seven to 10 days. After that, he will be re-evaluated, according to manager Carlos Mendoza.
“[The doctors] are telling us it should be a short stint on the IL. … We have to wait and see how he responds to the epidural,” Mendoza said.
Robert became the third member of the Mets to be placed on the IL within the last week. Shortstop Francisco Lindor went on the injured list last Thursday because of a left calf strain, while right-hander Kodai Senga was shelved Tuesday because of lumbar spine inflammation.
“I don’t think anyone anticipated something like this, to be honest with you,” Mendoza said. “You know you are going to get hit with injuries and face adversity. To have everything happen at the same time is crazy. But, hey, we have to keep going.”
In a series of corresponding moves, right-hander Carl Edwards Jr. was designated for assignment, while right-hander Austin Warren and infielder Eric Wagaman were recalled from Triple-A Syracuse.
Initially, the Mets labeled Robert as day to day, with hopes that he would only miss a game or two. But Wednesday marked the third consecutive game out of the lineup for Robert, who “didn’t improve much after treatment” on Tuesday, according to Mendoza. That prompted the team to send him for an MRI.
It’s a disappointing development for Robert in part because the Mets have spent significant energy trying to keep him healthy during his first year in New York. This spring, the Mets placed Robert on a slow progression, pushing back his Grapefruit League debut to allow him to strengthen his legs. Even as Robert enjoyed a hot start to the regular season, Mendoza gave him occasional rest days, keeping him out of the starting lineup five times in the Mets’ first 26 games.
“It’s frustrating and he’s super frustrated,” Mendoza said. “He has done everything we asked him to do. We tried to protect him. Give him days off. … It’s frustrating for Luis, for us, but we have to get him back right.”
The 28-year-old Robert, who has made nine trips to the IL over seven Major League seasons, had cooled significantly following his hot start, with a .922 OPS over his first 12 games and a .405 mark over his next 12. He is batting .224/.327/.329 with two homers and eight RBIs in 24 games.
With Robert sidelined, Carson Benge and Tyrone Taylor will split time in center field, according to Mendoza. Benge is off to a slow start during his rookie season, going 16-for-86 (.186) with two homers and six RBIs through his first 27 games.
Taylor is in his third season with the Mets and has a slash line of .234/.250/.383 with two homers and seven RBIs in 2026.