Luis Robert Jr. finally makes spring debut with Mets

JUPITER, Fla. — One of the two pieces to the Mets’ projected Opening Day lineup who had been absent from the Grapefruit League emerged Thursday.

Luis Robert Jr. got into his first major league exhibition game and played five innings in center field for the Mets in their 3-1 loss to the Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Robert finished 1-for-3.

That leaves Francisco Lindor, who is rehabbing from hamate bone surgery in his left hand, as the Mets’ only projected Opening Day starter who still hasn’t played in the Grapefruit League. The shortstop has been playing defense in minor league games as he awaits clearance to begin taking at-bats.

Robert, with his history of leg injuries that have impacted his last two seasons in particular, was slow-played this spring in an attempt to keep him healthy for the long haul.

“They explained to me that they wanted me to strengthen parts of my lower body that they thought were a little bit weaker,” Robert said through an interpreter. “And then eventually I would progress to the point where I would be able to play games.”

With Opening Day set for March 26 at Citi Field, the shackles appear to have been removed: Manager Carlos Mendoza said there was a possibility Robert would play again Friday night, giving him starts in back-to-back games.

Robert, 28, arrived in a January trade that sent Luisangel Acuña and Truman Pauley to the White Sox.

“He’s right where he needs to be,” Mendoza said. “He’s a healthy player. He was a healthy player when we got here. We just wanted to make sure that we needed to improve in certain areas, but as far as things we’re going to be looking for, he’s playing, so now it’s just getting the back-to-back … and trying to get him up to seven, eight innings, hopefully a full game depending how the game goes.”

The best of Robert was on display in 2023, when he posted a .264/.315/.542 slash line with 38 homers and 80 RBIs for the White Sox over 145 games to finish 12th in the American League MVP voting.

But injuries have limited Robert to 100 games in 2024 and 110 games last year. Robert struggled offensively both seasons.

“If we can keep this guy healthy, it’s excellent,” Mendoza said. “We saw it in 2023, he was, when healthy, one of the best players in the league. The tools are unbelievable. The guy can go get it in the outfield, he’s got speed, can steal bases, can hit it as far as anybody in the game as well, so there is a lot to like. We have just got to keep him on the field.”

The Mets will have Juan Soto in left field and top prospect Carson Benge is a candidate to start in right. Other outfield options in camp include Brett Baty, Tyrone Taylor, MJ Melendez and Mike Tauchman.

Taylor has extensive experience in center field and could back up Robert there, although Benge can also play the position. Tauchman’s and Melendez’s center field experience is limited.

Robert should benefit from the fact he won’t be asked to carry this lineup, with a supporting cast that includes Soto, Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco.

“It feels good to be in a lineup like this,” Robert said. “Just to have a lineup with so many stars is real exciting.”

What kind of player can Robert be if he’s healthy for a full season?

“I think the year that I did play almost a full season, those numbers that I was able to put up, I think I can put up that type of year again, or even better,” Robert said.