Category: Sports News

We assume that being on the IL is only about physical recovery. The hard work of physical recovery is arduous and some days, a return to health feels entirely out of reach. It’s also not necessarily a linear progression, but very much a two-steps-forward-one-step-back scenario.

There’s a huge mental piece too.

I’m no ballplayer, of course, and not a star, either—but I understand the simmering anxiety of the injured superstar. I’ve been where they are and have been on the IL myself since May 2025. Since my initial ailment, I went down with another and underwent surgery that completely stalled my initial rehab. I’m the Triston Casas of Northeast Seattle.

Though my version of the IL obviously looks a lot different from Trevor Story’s or Triston’s, I’m sure that the most foundational, human parts of it are the same: physical pain of course, persistence, anger, surprises (both good and bad), sadness, victory, and more.

Trevor Story Battles Back

Since Story recently began a rehab assignment in Worcester, let’s look at his situation first. I’m positive he’s been worried about his job; I know this because I worried (and still do) about mine. I went on official medical leave for a while; I’ve had to ask for favors and some grace. My boss has been wonderful but that hasn’t stopped me from being concerned that I was overlooking something. I don’t want people to think I’ve checked out. Sometimes I try to do more so people don’t think I’m doing less. On top of that, several coworkers told me they hadn’t even realized I was gone when I was on medical leave, which felt…awful.

There’s a lot at play here.

Put yourself in Trevor Story’s shoes, under the magnifying glass of a big-market team in a playoff hunt. You’re at home recovering, or more recently, sitting on a bench in Triple-A Worcester watching guys like Nick Sogard an Mickey Gasper hit home runs in the big leagues in your place. Imagine the existential, psychological panic. How do you not think of Wally Pipp?

Who Was Wally Pipp?

Pipp led the American League in home runs twice, and won three consecutive American League pennants and a World Series with the Yankees. In June 1925, he was benched for sub-par performance, then permanently lost his starting job to Lou Gehrig, who took the field instead and notched the second game in what would become a streak of 2,130 consecutive games played.

Legend has it that the manager overheard Pipp request two aspirin for a headache and told him to sit it out and feel better. Enter Gehrig and the rest was history. Not true (see The Luckiest Man by Jonathan Eig, one of the best baseball books there is). Pipp himself helped create that legend because he preferred to shake his head over the (imaginary) power of two little aspirin and a lot of bad luck; maybe he found this easier to swallow than admitting his poor play had forced the manager’s hand. Maybe he wanted to go out on his own terms, as the butt of his own aw-shucks joke, becoming part of the Lou Gehrig story, rather than being erased.

Imagine that terrifying realization—that your team might be more fun, more cohesive, or simply better without you. That is definitely the case with the Red Sox without Story. He will never have the 15-win streak, the records, even the trauma-bonding that preceded the highs of this impossible summer. It all happened without him.

Is it any wonder that Story has been publicly pushing to come back, possibly as soon as this weekend?

Injured players aren’t just fighting their own bodies as they try to mold them back into form through PT, macronutrients, and sheer will; they are fighting real demons. It can get pretty dark on this big, beautiful journey [sarcasm font] back to health.

Self-Imposed Pressures

Because the replacement players have so completely raised the bar, the pressure Story has put on himself to perform immediately is probably so thick he could choke on it. And of course, we’re all watching. And waiting. And ready to talk about what he does (or doesn’t) do.

While Story is freaking about potentially being Wally Pipped by any one of Andruw Monasterio, Nick Sogard, or even Anthony Seigler (if we throw Story’s experience at second base into the mix), he’ll be back. His contract practically guarantees it. Trevor Story knows thatmodern front offices do not care about a feel-good story (no pun intended, though I’m a sucker for a brilliant New York Post-style headline). Craig Breslow is looking at numbers: data, production, salary. In Story’s case, the data (namely the salary) favors the return of the injured star, not the continued journey of the underdog. The front office doesn’t want him (and his big paycheck) to sit on the bench if they can help it.

But think of Tanner Houck.

I strongly identified with Houck when we both went on the IL at more or less the same time. But then we went on our respective journeys and it’s fitting that Dan Secatore just this week called Tanner Houck the “former Red Sox All-Star who has become something of a forgotten man.” That’s what happens when you’re on the shelf for an extended period.

Think of Triston Casas, who is too young and hasn’t played nearly long enough to be where Wally Pipp once was. After his latest setback, you have to wonder if Casas has maybe started to entertain the idea of a career in commercial real estate or something instead of baseball. I don’t say that to be unkind, but that’s the sort of thing that goes through your mind when it feels like you’re watching the world go by. I know a little about this.

I have talked extensively with my therapist about all of this, and I’m absolutely certain any pro athlete on the IL has talked with the team’s sports psychologist. About the frustrations—those pile up. The fear of missing out. About watching everyone else have fun, being carefree, pain-free, med-free. The victories, as tiny as they are sometimes.

There’s certainly no Lou Gehrig waiting in the wings to take Story’s job…simply some lesser-known players who have stepped up in a big way, filled in while he and others were gone, and succeeded beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. That must be giving Trevor fits, and I feel for the guy.

We’ll see how this continues to unfold.

You could have fooled me that this was Player’s Weekend until I started seeing different bats and cleats showing up on my timeline. I miss the days when they had different uniforms for the weekend. At least it was something different.

On to the links.

Phillies news:

• Bryson Stott and his approach at the plate has fueled the offense that has been on fire since the All-Star break ($).
• Luis Arraez is one of the best pure hitters in the game today. Having batting practice in his hotel room helps with that ($).

MLB news:

• The Padres were considered a small market team. Then they started spending and winning. Now, they’re a $3.9 billion monster in the sport ($).
• The Ketel Marte saga continues as he meets with the front office and team, then goes on the injured list with a knee issue.
• If teams were looking to add a prospect to their roster in these final weeks from their farm system, here is a candidate for each team.

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Our Saturday MLB moneyline predictions have a nice mix of short favorites and solid underdogs in terrific individual and team matchups, including the San Diego Padres as -156 home favorites when they host the Minnesota Twins. 

Read on for my MLB moneyline predictions and MLB picks for Saturday, Aug. 22.

MLB moneyline picks for August 22

Matchup	Pick
Blue Jays vs Yankees	-117
Braves vs Brewers	-127
Nationals vs Marlins	-170
Cardinals vs Phillies	-127
Rays vs Orioles	-122
Angels vs Rangers	-144
Athletics vs Astros	+213
Mets vs White Sox	-108
Giants vs Red Sox	+178
Tigers vs Royals	-113
Cubs vs Mariners	-108
Pirates vs Dodgers	+233
Guardians vs Rockies	-122
Reds vs Diamondbacks	-138
Twins vs Padres	-156

Prices courtesy of Polymarket as of 8-22.

Expert MLB moneyline picks for Aug. 22

Unless otherwise indicated, all stats are from the previous two weeks.

Blue Jays vs Yankees: Yankees (-117)

Yankees win probability: 53.9%

New York holds a massive bullpen advantage with a 2.94 SIERA compared to Toronto’s league-worst 5.30 SIERA. While Toronto posted a higher BABIP (.319 vs. .290) and wOBA (.321 vs. .295), the Yankees' late-inning relief dominance provides the decisive edge to lock down the victory in the late frames.

Braves vs Brewers: Brewers (-127)

Brewers win probability: 55.9%

Milwaukee’s bullpen boasts an elite 3.43 SIERA, easily outclassing Atlanta’s 3.64 mark. Over the last two weeks, the Brewers’ offense has been far superior, posting a .325 wOBA and .330 BABIP against Atlanta’s ice-cold lineup (.264 wOBA, .258 BABIP). Milwaukee holds clear command across the entire plate-discipline and run-prevention profile.

Nationals vs Marlins: Marlins (-170)

Marlins win probability: 63%

Miami holds offensive leverage over Washington during the last two weeks, generating a .329 wOBA and .319 BABIP compared to the Nationals’ .306 wOBA and .299 BABIP. While Washington’s bullpen holds a slight SIERA edge (3.44 vs. 3.77), Miami’s superior efficiency and run creation at the dish should deliver the home victory.

Cardinals vs Phillies: Phillies (-127)

Phillies win probability: 55.9%

Philadelphia matches up cleanly against St. Louis with a superior bullpen SIERA of 3.91 versus the Cardinals' 4.53 mark. The Phillies' lineup also holds a distinct offensive edge, posting a higher wOBA (.332 to .329) and BABIP (.297 to .288) to control the scoreboard in this home matchup.

Rays vs Orioles: Rays (-122)

Rays win probability: 55%

Angels vs Rangers: Rangers (-144)

Rangers win probability: 59%

Texas gets home-field positioning despite the Angels boasting a slate-best 2.92 bullpen SIERA over Texas’s 4.40 mark. While Los Angeles produced a slightly higher wOBA (.285 vs. .267) and BABIP (.299 vs. .264) recently, the Rangers’ overall lineup and starting pitching edge should carry them through.

Athletics vs Astros: Athletics (+213)

Athletics win probability: 31.9%

The Athletics hold significant offensive leverage over ice-cold Houston, outproducing the Astros in wOBA (.319 vs. .269) and BABIP (.273 vs. .226). While Houston maintains a bullpen edge (3.52 vs. 4.36 SIERA), laying -223 chalk on a sub-.270 wOBA lineup is unwise, making the A’s a live dog.

Mets vs White Sox: White Sox (-108)

White Sox win probability: 51.9%

The White Sox offense has been scorching, posting a slate-best .341 wOBA alongside a .291 BABIP to outpace the Mets (.321 wOBA, .285 BABIP). With Chicago’s bullpen also holding a clear SIERA advantage (4.00 vs. 4.35), the White Sox are primed to take this near coin-flip contest.

Giants vs Red Sox: Giants (+178)

Giants win probability: 36%

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

The Detroit Tigers opened up the second half of their six-game road trip on Friday night with a 5-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals, extending the latter’s winning streak to seven games. Troy Melton came close to throwing a quality start, but the bullpen did as it has been wont to this season and the offense sputtered, resulting in the defeat.

Making his fifth start of the season for the Tigers is right-hander Drew Anderson, who had done well as an extended opener over two outings before his last one, posting a 1.17 ERA but a suspicious 4.91 FIP before getting tagged in his most recent appearance. Against the Chicago White Sox in Detroit, he surrendered three runs on four hits (one home run) and two walks in what ultimately resulted in a 7-5 loss.

Anderson’s relief efforts against the Royals this season have been… less than optimal, to say the least. On April 16, he coughed up three runs in 1/3 inning of work; on May 10, he surrendered three runs in two innings; on July 23, he gave up a run in one inning of work. It is hard to trust him much on Saturday with that track record.

Against Anderson for Kansas City is Michael Wacha, who has struggled over his last two starts after a mostly strong showing this season. Stretching across his last 11 2/3 innings of work, the 35-year-old has posted a 5.40 ERA and 6.17 FIP, surrendering 13 hits (four home runs) but nary a walk while striking out eight, earning a win in the process.

However, in his two outings against the Tigers this season, Wacha has been solid, throwing a pair of quality starts. On May 9, he threw seven scoreless frames on two hits and two walks while striking out six; on July 25, he tossed another seven innings of two-run ball on six hits (one home run) and two walks and three strikeouts — both for team wins.

Here’s how the two match up on paper for the second of the three-game series. But first, a look at how bad the Tigers’ bullpen has been in high-leverage situations before Friday night. 

Detroit Tigers (61-67) vs. Kansas City Royals (56-74)

Time (ET): 7:15 p.m.
Place: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
SB Nation Site:Royals Review
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network

Game 129: RHP Drew Anderson (4-4, 4.01 ERA) vs. RHP Michael Wacha (6-8, 3.58 ERA)

ANDERSON

WACHA

We’re back with another Breaking T shirt, this time featuring the one and only Joey Ortiz… and his mustache.

Ortiz had a truly dismal first two months of the season — across 48 games, he hit .188/.287/.231 with one homer, two doubles, 11 RBIs, and 15 runs. He had a slightly better month of June — .250/.283/.357 over 22 games — but he’s come out of nowhere since that time as one of the better hitters in all of baseball. Since July 4, Ortiz has played in 32 games (110 plate appearances), batting .343/.391/.596 with five homers, six doubles, two triples, 19 RBIs, and 17 runs. That stretch has helped push his season line to a much more respectable .252/.317/.381 line while also providing some of the best defense in baseball.

Now, you can celebrate Ortiz’s magical mustache with a new shirt from our friends at Breaking T.

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Click here to get a Joey Ortiz mustache shirt, and be sure to check out their full line of Brewers’ merchandise here.

Iowa Cubs 8, Toledo Mud Hens 3 (box)

Jackson Wolf’s outing crumbled in the fourth as the Cubs roared back to win and even the series on Friday.

The left-hander was actually pitching well until he got into a jam in the top of the fourth. With runners on, Wolf failed to make a good throw on a comebacker, then hit a batter, then walked in a run. Tyler Mattison allowed two of Wolf’s runners to score as well. When the smoke cleared the Cubs had a five-run inning and the lead.

That was unfortunate, because things were promising early on. Josue Briceño led off the bottom of the second with a single and took second on a Chris Meyers ground out. Cal Stevenson tripled him in, then scored on a Michael Siani sacrifice fly.

In the third, Wolf gave up a leadoff double, but he got a ground out and then Siani made a great catch and throw in to Bennett Lee at the plate to cut down the runner trying to tag and score from third. The defense couldn’t do much to help Wolf in the fourth.

So, it was 5-2 in the fifth when Mattison left the game with one on and one out. Hayden Minton, freshly converted to relief work, made his debut with a runner on base. Unfortunately he gave up a pair of singles that allowed the inherited runner to score. Minton did handle the sixth without any issues.

Andre Granillo wild pitched in a run in the seventh for a 7-2 Iowa lead. Siani singled and scored on a Justice Bigbie single in the ninth. Brenan Hanifee surrendered a run in relief before it was over.

Cruz: 2-5, 2 K

Meyers: 1-3, 2B, BB, K

Stevenson: 1-3, R, RBI, 3B, BB, K

Wolf (L, 1-1): 3.2 IP, 5 R, ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 4 K

Coming Up Next: It’s a 7:05 p.m. ET start on Saturday.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats 4, Erie SeaWolves 2 (box)

Max Alba threw a good game but the bats were pretty quiet in this one.

Alba went six innings with just one earned run allowed for his best start of the year. He struck out five and walked one, giving the SeaWolves every opportunity to win this one.

They did strike first in this one. Peyton Graham ripped a two-out double to left in the bottom of the first, and Thayron Liranzo nearly decapitated pitcher Johnny King with a screamer that clipped him in the ribcage as he ducked and then carried out into center field. A 1-0 lead was all they mustered there though, and Alba gave up the tying run in the fourth on a pair of doubles.

Moises Rodriguez coughed up three runs in the top of the ninth to lose this one. Woody Hadeen hit his first Double-A homer in the bottom of the ninth, but the solo shot didn’t spark any magic.

Hadeen: 1-4, R, RBI, HR, K

Graham: 1-4, R, 2B, 2 K

Liranzo: 1-4, RBI, K

Alba: 6.0 IP, ER, 4 H, BB, 5 K

Coming Up Next: It’s a 6:05 p.m. ET start with the series now tied up.

South Bend Cubs 7, West Michigan Whitecaps 5 (box)

JoJo Ingrassia struggled in his start and the bullpen didn’t do much better as South Bend evened up the series on Friday.

Ingrassia surrendered three runs in three innings of work, all of them in the bottom of the third inning. Preston Howey took over and gave up a run in the fourth before throwing a scoreless fifth. Ethan Sloan handled the sixth, and then the offense finally got something going in the top of the seventh.

Cristian Santana started the inning with a single and rode home on Carson Rucker’s first High-A home run. Nolan McCarthy followed with a single, and with one out, Jackson Strong doubled him to third. Bryce Rainer was pitched carefully and walked. He would not extend his five-game homer streak, sadly. Beau Ankeney did lift a sacrifice fly to score a run and make it 4-3 South Bend.

Unfortunately, Sloan then gave up three runs in the bottom half, and the ‘Caps were right back where they started. In the top of the eighth they made another push, as Andrew Sojka led off with a single and stole second. Santana walked, and they pulled off a double steal. Rucker got Sojka home with a ground out, and McCarthy lifted a sacrifice fly to score Santana, but that made it 7-5 Cubs, and they wouldn’t get any closer.

McCarthy: 3-3, R, RBI, 2B

Strong: 2-5, 2B, 2 K

Rainer: 1-2, 3 BB, SB, CS

Santana: 1-3, 2 R, BB, 2 K, SB

Ingrassia (L, 0-1): 3.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 3 K

Coming Up Next: It’s a 7:05 p.m. ET start in South Bend on Saturday, and this series is now also tied up at two games apiece.

Lakeland Flying Tigers 6, St. Lucie Mets 3 (box)

The Flying Tigers just keep rolling. They did a nice job taking advantage of seven walks while issuing just one free pass to make it four straight over the Mets.

Malachi Witherspoon got the start, and they kept it a short one though he and Michael Oliveto behind the dish worked well together. He blanked the Mets for three innings and threw 25 of 37 pitches for strikes. The right-hander allowed three hits, but zero walks! and struck out five. I’m not sure how to proceed with Witherspoon, but it’s his first year of pro ball, so probably they’ll keep him starting and try to get his mechanics into a more consistent place next year.

Jude Warwick opened the scoring with a solo shot in the top of the second inning, his ninth of the season.

Javier Osorio followed with a walk and then moved to third on an Enderson Delgado double. Jordan Yost singled in Osorio and Oliveto singled in Delgado for an early 3-0 lead.

Lefty Carlos Rodriguez took over from Witherspoon in the fourth and collected two outs before the standard August in Florida rain delay. Xiomer Guacache took over when play did resume.

In the top of the fifth, Jesus Pinto walked and stole second with one out. He then took third as Zach MacDonald struck out, and Anibal Salas singled him home for a 4-0 lead.

Guacache allowed a run in the bottom of the fifth and then a solo shot to start the bottom of the seventh. So it was 4-2 Lakeland. Jose Guzman then allowed a solo shot in the eighth to pull the Mets within one.

In the top of the ninth, the Flying Tigers were looking to restore some cushion. Pinto and MacDonald walked to lead off the inning, and a wild pitch let them both advance. Warwick hit one to second but it got booted, allowing Pinto to score. Osorio later lifted a sacrifice fly to score MacDonald for a 6-3 lead.

Guzman collected the save, his fifth on the year.

Pinto: 1-3, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 SB

Oliveto: 1-3, RBI, 2 BB, 2 K

Salas: 2-5, RBI, 3 K

Delgado: 3-5, R, 2B, K

Witherspoon: 3.0 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 0 BB, 5 K

Coming Up Next: It’s a 6:10 p.m. ET start in St. Lucie on Saturday as the Flying Tigers hunt for a sweep.

The Yankees lost a pair of annoying close games to the Blue Jays to begin last weekend in Toronto, so it was nice to see New York return the favor last night while also trimming the Rays’ AL East lead to three games. Cam Schlittler bent but did not break, a close call went the Yanks’ way on Spencer Jones’ decisive high, majestic homer down the right-field line, and they held on for a 3-1 win. Hell yeah. They lost Cam’s most recent start against the Jays and had to win a game started by his top AL Cy Young foe, Dylan Cease, to avoid a sweep a week ago. The Bombers still obviously want to win today no matter what, but the stakes are at least a little less high with Cease aiming for his own revenge. Don’t grant it!

Today on the site, John will discuss a forgotten figure from baseball history who has had a profound effect on the game: Abner Powell, innovator of the rain delay tarp and much more. Madison will run through the Rivalry Roundup, and Jeff will salute the 137th birthday of the Yankees’ first World Series-winning behind the plate, Wally Schang. Nick will also discuss former top Giants prospect Marco Luciano, who has found new life in the Yankees’ system.

Today’s Matchup:

New York Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays

Time: 1:35 p.m. EST

TV: YES Network, Sportsnet, TVA Sports

Venue: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY

Questions/Prompts:

1. Ryan Weathers has been electric lately with a sparkling 0.85 ERA over the last month of play. How does he hold up today? Predict his pitching line.

2. I feel like one of the other editors or I asked this recently, but how about a pulse check: Do you think the Blue Jays will end up in the playoffs despite all the various 2026 disappointments?

New York Daily News | Peter Sblendorio: Spencer Jones has been at the heart of the Yankees’ last two wins, homering on Thursday to help secure the sweep over the Orioles and following it on Friday with a two-run moonshot against the Blue Jays. Aaron Boone made sure to highlight the adjustments Jones is making to opposing pitchers’ strengths and weaknesses with each game of big league experience under his belt. With Cody Bellinger likely one more rehab appearance away from rejoining the major league team after a month-long absence, Jones’ recent performances are making it very difficult for the Yankees to justify demoting him when Bellinger returns. In 55 games, Jones is slashing .229/.306/.425 with seven home runs, seven doubles, 21 RBIs, and a 104 wRC+ across 170 plate appearances.

ESPN | Jorge Castillo: The Yankees maintained optimism that Max Fried’s absence with a recurrence of the left elbow bone bruise that cost him over two months would require a far shorter stint on the IL this time around. It appears that is the case, with the lefty already scheduled to throw off a mound for the first time on Saturday after suffering the injury on Tuesday. Fried said the key during his time out will be refining his mechanics — which he admitted he has been “fighting… a lot this year,” — to allow his arm a full proper follow through, which he believes should prevent a future setback. Fried has a 2.81 ERA in 15 starts and needs to ensure a complete recovery given his paramount importance to making a deep postseason run.

MLB Trade Rumors | Anthony Franco: We received conformation that Ryan McMahon was placed on the 10-day IL with a sprained left thumb, Max Schuemann taking his place on the active roster on Friday. McMahon suffered the injury when he jammed his thumb into second base on a slide getting thrown out trying to stretch a double in the second inning of Thursday’s win over the Orioles, the third baseman eventually departing in the eighth following a pair of uncomfortable ABs. McMahon and Boone remained optimistic that the injury will require a minimum IL stint, José Caballero expected to take over primary third base duties in his absence.

USA Today | Gabe Lacques: George Lombard Jr. has been in the big leagues for just two week, but he already has made an impression on his teammates and coaches. The star rookie has already accumulated more fWAR (1.3) in 14 games than the man he replaced, Anthony Volpe, accrued in 56 games. Aaron Boone praised the work he does behind the scenes to be ready for every matchup, while Jazz Chisholm Jr. called Lombard a “veteran at shortstop,” despite being just 21 years old. Lombard credited the welcome he received as a kid in the Dodgers clubhouse when his father was their bench coach, and would use those opportunities learn through observation about the lifestyle, preparation, and routine needed to post at the big league level day in and day out.

MLB Trade Rumors | Steve Adams: The Yankees announced that they had agreed a minor league deal with right-handed pitcher Eli Morgan, who will report to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Morgan was recently designated for assignment by the Royals and elected free agency. Morgan spent the first four years of his career with the Guardians as a middle-inning reliever—some fans might remember him facing the Yankees in the 2024 ALCS—but serious elbow and shoulder injuries limited him to just 26.2 innings with the Cubs and Royals over the last two seasons. In six big-league seasons, Morgan has made 184 appearances (19 starts), pitching to a 4.25 ERA (97 ERA+), 4.45 FIP, and 282 strikeouts in 292 innings.

CHICAGO — Luis Robert Jr. returned to his roots Friday, but the vibe sure had changed since his departure.

A White Sox team that had become something of a punchline in recent seasons was first in the AL Central, firmly in position to bring rare October baseball to this city’s South Side.

“This is a team that will always have a special place in my heart,” Robert said through an interpreter before going 1-for-3 with a double in the Mets’ 6-4 loss to the White Sox on a walk-off home run at Rate Field. “I keep tabs of the results of the games, and I am really proud to see how they are performing this season.”

Robert, 29, played his first six major league seasons for the White Sox before the Mets acquired him in a January trade that included Luisangel Acuña departing Queens.

But Robert’s experience with the Mets has mirrored his last seasons with the White Sox, in which he spent significant time on the injured list and played for teams well removed from the playoff race by August. Robert spent nearly three months on the injured list this season with lumbar disc herniation before rejoining the team July 20.

Robert entered play with an underwhelming .652 OPS. And the Mets, despite 11 victories in 15 games, began the day 58-70 and 10 games behind in the race for the NL’s final wild-card spot.

“This season has been pretty similar to how other parts of my career have gone, where I have been hurt, where I have been off the field,” Robert said. “But right now I think the most important thing for me is to finish the season strong and go out there and try to be the best version of myself.”

The Mets tried to trade Robert before the Aug. 3 deadline, but were unsuccessful. It has left Robert as a spare part who is receiving playing time as Juan Soto rehabs a calf strain.

Rookies Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing are pieces in the team’s future, and Soto remains a fixture with his record $765 million contract. It has left Robert in the position of knowing the Mets are unlikely to exercise their $20 million option on him for next season.

“When you are talking about the young guys, you are talking about guys who have a really bright future, who are really impactful,” Robert said. “And then you have Juan Soto, who is a veteran, who is going to be here for a while. I think from the perspective of the outfield construction, [the future] is really bright.”

The present includes Robert sometimes in left field — a position he played Sunday for the first time in his major league career after appearing exclusively in center. Robert returned to left field for Friday’s series opener.

“I have only played one game there and honestly I can say it was pretty easy,” Robert said. “I didn’t get any balls hit to me, no fly balls, no ground balls. I hope there can be a little more activity or I can be a little more a part of the game out there.”

The White Sox lost at least 100 games in each of Robert’s final three seasons with the club. Included was a 2024 nightmare in which the White Sox set a modern major league record with 121 losses.

But an infusion of young talent, along with the signing of Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami, has helped revive the franchise.

“It doesn’t surprise me at all,” Robert said of the White Sox success. “Before I got traded in the offseason, I saw the moves they were making, the necessary moves to improve the team and that is what they are doing.”