Luis Robert Jr. Placed on Waivers by Mets

Luis Robert Jr. of the New York Mets was placed on waivers on Saturday, as confirmed by The Post’s Joel Sherman. This move gives Robert 48 hours to potentially join a contender and be eligible for their postseason roster. Robert pinch hit in the eighth inning during the Mets’ 6-2 victory over the Houston Astros at Citi Field and can continue to play while on waivers. If another team claims him, they would be responsible for the approximately $3 million remaining on his contract for this season, plus a $2 million buyout. If no team claims him, Robert would return to the Mets. The Mets acquired Robert from the Chicago White Sox in January, aiming to enhance their roster for a contending season. However, he faced injuries and struggled at the plate, contributing to the Mets' disappointing season. Robert missed time due to a lumbar spine herniation and was hitting .224 with a .656 OPS before his injury. After returning, his batting average fell to .189 and his OPS to .597. Recently, he has improved, hitting .311 with a .994 OPS over 19 games, but has only 10 home runs and 23 RBIs for the season. The Mets have also seen strong performances from rookie outfielders Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing, complicating Robert's path to playing time. Additionally, Juan Soto returned from injury, further impacting the outfield situation. Robert could be owed $20 million next season through a club option, but it is likely that the Mets or any claiming team would opt for the $2 million buyout instead. Waiving Robert could alleviate the outfield logjam and save the Mets money, but if he goes unclaimed, it would mark another disappointment in a challenging season.