Luis Robert Jr. wraps a third rehab game with Triple-A Syracuse as Mets wait for return

Luis Robert Jr. is one rehab appearance closer to rejoining the New York Mets after completing his third game assignment with Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday. In the 6-5 win over the Worcester Red Sox, Robert went hitless, finishing 0-for-4 as the next checkpoint in a process that has been building since his injury kept him out of Major League games.

Robert’s rehab has taken place as he works through a back issue that has described as a lumbar spine disc herniation. MLB reported that he began a Minor League rehab assignment with Syracuse earlier this week, getting action in center field, and the organization has emphasized that the return picture remains fluid rather than set to a single day.

According to, Robert had been sidelined since late April and had “made little apparent progress” for weeks before restarting baseball activities earlier in the month. The same report framed his rehab as tangible development toward a return, noting that the Mets do not have an exact timeframe for his return but that a person with knowledge of the situation estimated he would need a longer stay in the Minors than Francisco Lindor, who returned to the Mets six days after beginning a rehab assignment.

Rehab assignments are built for workload and readiness, and position players can remain on assignment for up to 20 days, noted. That matters for New York because Robert’s timeline intersects with how the Mets plan to keep their outfield production balanced, particularly against left-handed pitching where he has been part of the team’s intended long-term matchups.

also connected Robert’s return route to New York’s existing outfield alignment, which has included Juan Soto, A.J. Ewing and Carson Benge in most days recently. The report added that Ewing has struggled notably against left-handers, which created a clearer gap that Robert’s bat could help address once he is healthy enough to play regular games. further included a quote from Mets interim manager Andy Green, who said the Mets have missed the “right-handed bat” that Robert provides versus left-handed pitching.

Saturday’s rehab installment showed that the Mets will still need more than a hit or two to evaluate readiness. While Robert went 0-for-4 in the Syracuse win, the rehab objective is broader than results at the plate. The next step is whether he can build consistency in contact and defensive reps as the assignment continues, and whether New York’s position players can integrate him into the center-field role without disrupting the rest of the outfield rhythm.

For Mets fans, the immediate watch item is what his remaining rehab games look like at Syracuse, including whether he continues to see full-day center field responsibilities or shifts into a less demanding routine. The larger watch is still the same, when the Mets decide he is ready for the Major League jump, since the organization has not committed to a specific date for his return.