New York Mets center fielder Luis Robert Jr. sent for MRI on ailing back

NEW YORK (AP) — Mets center fielder Luis Robert Jr. remained out of the lineup Wednesday night against Washington and was sent for imaging, the latest issue for a New York team already in an early hole this season.

Robert missed his third straight game with tightness in his lower back and could land on the injured list.

“Didn’t improve much after treatment yesterday, so he’s getting an MRI right now to see what we’re dealing with,” manager Carlos Mendoza said Wednesday afternoon. “We’ve got to wait and see what the MRI says and what’s the plan of attack, if we need to put him on the IL or continue to be day-to-day. But, that’s why we’re taking a look at it.”

Acquired from the Chicago White Sox in a January trade, the oft-injured Robert got off to a strong start but has cooled off dramatically. He is 5 for 38 (.132) over his last 10 games dating to April 13 after batting .298 with 12 walks and an .866 OPS through his first 14 games.

The 28-year-old slugger from Cuba is hitting .224 overall with two homers, eight RBIs and a .656 OPS.

Tyrone Taylor was set to start in center field Wednesday, with MJ Melendez in left and rookie Carson Benge in right. Left fielder Juan Soto, hampered by forearm discomfort in his left (throwing) arm, was the designated hitter for the seventh consecutive game since returning last week from a right calf strain.

Robert, an All-Star in 2023, was limited to 210 games over the past two seasons with the White Sox due to hip and hamstring injuries.

“Every time you send someone for an MRI, you’re always concerned. But given the history of Luis the past couple of years with injuries, and us trying to get to know the player, the personality, that’s what we’ve got right now,” Mendoza said.

“But again, we’ve got to wait. We’re doing everything in our power to kind of keep him on the field, and hopefully this is just a minor thing that we’re dealing with for a couple of days and he’s back out there soon.”

Injuries are piling up for the disappointing Mets, who began the day 10-19 after beating the Nationals 8-0 in the series opener Tuesday for only their third victory in 18 games.

Star shortstop Francisco Lindor strained his left calf last week — on the same night Soto returned — and will be sidelined for a while. Lindor is wearing a protective boot and won’t be reexamined until mid-May.

First baseman Jorge Polanco is on the 10-day injured list with a bruised right wrist — although he’s also dealing with bursitis in his left heel, which has bothered him since very early in the season.

Struggling right-hander Kodai Senga (0-4, 9.00 ERA) went on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to Monday, with lumbar spine inflammation. He is out indefinitely.

Left-handed reliever A.J. Minter remains on target to return in early May from left lat surgery that cut short his 2025 season. He threw a bullpen Tuesday at Citi Field and is scheduled to make his next minor league rehab appearances Friday and Sunday.

“We’ll see where we’re at after that,” Mendoza said. “We’re not going to rush him.”

In roster news, Tommy Pham elected free agency rather than accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Syracuse. The veteran outfielder was designated for assignment Monday.

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