Much is being made of the New York Mets‘ overhauled pitching staff and infield, but manager Carlos Mendoza is excited to see what one of the team’s newest outfielders can do.
Mendoza opened up about the Luis Robert’s potential and why he feels the outfielder is in for a huge year if the Mets can keep him on the field.
The Mets acquired Robert from the Chicago White Sox this offseason for Luisangel Acuna and minor-leaguer Truman Pauley. The 28-year-old is signed through this season though has a $20 million option for 2027.
In his career, Robert is slashing .259/.313/.455 and has 102 home runs and 298 RBIs all for the White Sox. Last season, in 110 games, Robert finished with a .661 OPS and had 14 homers with 53 RBIs.
Carlos Mendoza: ‘The Sky’s the Limit’ for Luis Robert
Robert had a dumbfoundingly good season in 2023 for the White Sox, earning a Silver Slugger and making his lone All-Star Game appearance for the White Sox. He posted an .857 OPS and hit 38 home runs, the third-most in the American League, while setting career highs for games played (145) and at-bats (545).
Robert is a five-tool player when healthy, since he stole 33 bases in 2025. But the 2023 version is the player Mendoza is hoping the Mets acquired, which is why keeping him healthy is the primary focus.
âIf we keep this guy healthy, the skyâs the limit,â Mendoza told MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo. âWeâve seen it — 2023 I think it was when he was healthy, he was one of the best players in the league. The tools are unbelievable — a guy that can go get it in the outfield, heâs got speed, can steal bases, can hit it as far as anybody in the game, as well. So thereâs a lot to like. Weâve just got to keep him on the field.â
Luis Robert Has Dealt With Lower-Body Injuries
Robert finally made his spring-training debut with the Mets on Thursday, since they have been careful to ease him back into action since he dealt with a hamstring injury throughout 2025.
Robert’s hamstring strain came on the heels of a hip-flexor injury that limited him to 100 games in 2024. Robert missed almost two months after injuring his hip in April before hamstring woes cropped up toward the end of that year.
Leg injuries can be particularly straining on outfielders, who need to run full speed to track down hard-hit fly balls and line drives. Though they didn’t affect his ability to steal bases — he had 56 steals over 2024 and 2025 — his injuries impacted his playing time and ability to drive the ball, since his slugging percentage cratered the past two seasons.
Still, the Mets have a plan in place for Robert’s schedule — since he won’t play every day. So they are reminding the outfielder to take it easy on his body especially now and in the first five weeks of the year.
âItâs a conversation that I need to have with him after every game,â Mendoza said. âThe good thing is he knows thereâs a plan in place, and that we care and have the best interests for him.â
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