Mets place Luis Robert Jr. on waivers
Mets leftfielder Luis Robert Jr. reacts after striking out against the Milwaukee Brewers during the second inning at Citi Field on Thursday. Credit: Brad Penner
Mets outfielder Luis Robert Jr. could end up playing the remainder of the season in another uniform. The Mets placed him on waivers Saturday, opening the door for him to play out the rest of the season for any team willing to take the remainder of his contract off their hands.
Teams have 48 hours after the Mets made the move to claim him. If no team does, he will finish the season in Queens.
Robert is owed approximately $3 million for the rest of this season and there is a $2 million buyout on a $20 million team option for 2027. There could be additional savings for the Mets, who reportedly are paying an additional 110% on that as a consequence of MLB’s luxury tax.
Robert was on the injured list from April 30 through July 20 with a lumbar disc herniation. The Mets did not find a trade partner for him before the Aug. 3 deadline but could at least get salary relief with a claim.
Roger Rubin returned to Newsday in 2018 to write about high schools, colleges and baseball following 20 years at the Daily News. A Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2011, he has covered 13 MLB postseasons and 14 NCAA Final Fours.
