The Baltimore Orioles are turning over the roster and putting Luis Robert Jr. right into the mix.
Robert is being activated, and the club says he’ll wear No. 88 in Baltimore. The move comes after the Orioles claimed the outfielder off waivers from the New York Mets, adding a player whose season has been marked by injuries and uneven production.
Robert’s numbers this year sit at a .223 batting average with 10 home runs and 23 RBIs. Even with those struggles, Baltimore is clearly betting on the upside.
“Excited to have Luis. That's a great addition.
The talent stands out big time,” Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said, per MLB.com. “Talk about a player that takes his craft seriously and is looking to get better, and has gotten better.
So with Luis, we heard a lot of great things about him. … It wasn't a long time ago where Luis was talked about as one of the best players in the game.
The talent is there.”
Robert’s path to Baltimore follows several seasons with the Chicago White Sox, where he had an up-and-down run but still earned an All-Star nod in 2023.
The Orioles also announced a series of other roster changes Tuesday. Right-handers Cameron Weston and Nick Raquet were designated for assignment, Christian Franklin was placed on the 10-day injured list with hand inflammation, and left-hander Luis De Leon had his contract selected from Triple-A Norfolk. De Leon is set to make his Major League Baseball debut when he gets into a game.
The timing matters for a Baltimore team that’s sitting at 69-69, fourth in the American League East, and trying to stay in the postseason chase. The Orioles have won eight of their last 10.
Baltimore is back in action Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies.
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Orioles Just Set Up Another Tough Roster Decision
The Orioles roster expansion brought a familiar sort of September clutter to Camden Yards, with Heston Kjerstad and left-handed reliever Luis De Len promoted from Triple-A Norfolk as Baltimore opened up to 28 players. Cade Povich was sent back to Norfolk in the shuffle, a reminder that even as rosters grow, every addition still squeezes someone else out of the picture.
Luis Robert Jr. could also be activated for an upcoming game, which would force another move and sharpen the pressure on a group already being asked to sort out roles on the fly. For a club trying to balance late-season depth, left-handed pitching and an outfield that keeps getting more crowded, the next decision may be even trickier than the last. [Read more 🡒]
Orioles Rotation Shuffle Just Raised A Bigger Stretch Run Question
The Orioles have already started to make August feel a little different on the mound, opening with Cade Povich last night and pushing Kyle Bradish to tonight before Trevor Rogers takes the ball Wednesday afternoon. Craig Albernaz said a six-man rotation is under consideration, and with rosters expanding, Baltimore is also planning to add another pitcher while Luis Robert Jr. is expected to come aboard as the new position player.
The timing matters because this is no longer just about getting through a series, it is about how the club wants to handle the final months of the season. Bradishs recent struggles have only sharpened the discussion, especially after some uneven first-inning work, and the Orioles now have to decide whether the shuffle is a short-term convenience or the start of a broader rotation plan for the stretch run. [Read more 🡒]
Orioles Roster Crunch Is Putting Heston Kjerstad Back In Focus
Heston Kjerstad is on track to finally get back into the Orioles mix in September, a welcome development after the outfielder spent much of the season working his way back from health setbacks. His return would give Baltimore another left-handed bat to sort into a roster that is about to get even more crowded, especially with the club expecting another outfield addition in the same stretch.
Luis Robert Jr. is also anticipated to join the Orioles, creating a squeeze that could force the team into some difficult decisions on the fringe of the roster. Christian Franklin may be the one sent down once Robert arrives, while Flix Bautista remains on a slower path back and is not expected to return right away because he still needs more rehab outings, leaving Baltimore to manage both reinforcements and the timing of its bullpen help. [Read more 🡒]