When is Luis Robert Jr. Coming Back? Fantasy Baseball Injury Return Update

Chicago White Sox manager Pedro Grifol had fans buzzing this week after discussing star outfielder Luis Robert Jr. and his recovery from a hip flexor strain, which has kept the All-Star on the injured list since April 5. The White Sox were in Kansas City playing their second game of a four-game series against the Royals, when during the ninth inning facing lefty reliever Will Smith, Robert smacked a double to left with one out. After touching first base, Robert pulled up limping and was replaced immediately by a pinch-runner. 

Luis Robert Jr. is one of the most electrifying talents on the field when healthy. "Healthy" is the key word here as Robert missed time with injuries in 2021 and 2022, limiting him to under 100 games played each season. However, at full speed in 2023, Robert showed the baseball world what he's capable of as he finished with a .264 average, 38 home runs (good for third in the AL), and 20 steals in 145 games leading to his first All-Star nomination and Silver Slugger award.

When will Luis Robert return from the hip injury? Let's take a look at the current updates on the injury trail.

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Luis Robert Jr. Injury Update for Fantasy Baseball

Before starting a seven-game homestand against the Guardians and Nationals on Thursday, Grifol addressed the media and shared Robert had a "little, minor setback" during the rehab process. While initially diagnosed with a 6-8 week recovery time in mid-April, White Sox General Manager Chris Getz, optimistically spoke to a six-week return which would have put Robert back in centerfield this week. After Grifol's comments, it's looking more and more like he will be closer to the latter end of the estimate.

As much as he's missed, the White Sox have no incentive to rush Robert back before he's ready. Once Robert went down, the White Sox proceeded to lose 17 out of 19 games, their record currently sits at 12-29, and they are currently battling the Marlins and Rockies for the worst record in all of major league baseball.

Luis Robert Jr. had been trending toward getting back on the field soon, but the White Sox' All-Star center fielder had what manager Pedro Grifol called “a little setback” in his recovery process.https://t.co/109P5jIjbE

— Sun-Times Sports (@suntimes_sports) May 8, 2024

Luis Robert Jr. Fantasy Baseball Outlook

Even though the real-life White Sox may be in no rush to get Robert back on the field, the wait fantasy managers have endured has been excruciating. While it's bad enough to lose a top pick for multiple months, it is only amplified by the amount of injuries that have already occurred in 2024. IL real estate is extremely valuable.

BOOM!! 🚀🚀🚀🚀 pic.twitter.com/7F4oy3hnzH

— Luis Robert Jr. (@LuisRobert10_) June 15, 2023

For those willing to gamble in an attempt to buy low from a frustrated owner, there may be no better time than the present. It's not hard to believe a league-mate, possibly dealing with injuries and dejected over this most recent setback would be willing to entertain offers for a more steady, reliable source of offensive production.

Making Robert a trade target doesn't come without high risk, this is an injury to the same right hip flexor that Robert tore in May of 2021 which caused him to miss 14 weeks and appear in only 68 games that year. However, barring any further setbacks, if we can see Robert Jr. back in center at Guaranteed Rate Field soon, there is still plenty of time left and he is plenty talented to finish with a 30 HR/15 SB season.

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