The Orioles are adding some thump to their lineup to help keep them in the AL Wild Card chase, claiming outfielder Luis Robert Jr. off waivers, sources told MLB.com. The club has not confirmed the move.
Robert was recently placed on outright waivers by the Mets, who have faded well out of the postseason picture, and is still due approximately $3 million this season on his $20 million base salary. Robert also has a $20 million team option for next season with a $2 million buyout.
If Robert is added to the active roster before Tuesday, he will be eligible for the postseason should Baltimore make it there.
Entering play Monday night, the O’s sit just one game back of the Guardians for the third Wild Card spot.
Robert struggled to get on track with the Mets this season, batting .223 with a below-average OPS+ of 96, but he had shown flashes of his significant power in recent weeks, homering four times over a six-game span in the middle of August.
The 29-year-old was an All-Star in 2023 with the White Sox but hasn’t quite lived up to his power-speed potential since then. Still, the O’s add a slugging bat to their lineup to provide some protection for Pete Alonso and Gunnar Henderson.