White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks due to injury

The Chicago White Sox knew the injury news on Luis Robert Jr. wouldn't be good, and now the team has an idea of how long its star center fielder will be sidelined due to a hip flexor strain.

Robert is expected to be out six to eight weeks because of the Grade 2 strain, according to the Chicago Sun-Times' Daryl Van Schouwen. However, there is concern within the organization that Robert's absence could be longer, possibly three to four months, USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported. In the meantime, the outfielder was placed on the 10-day injured list.

Robert appeared to suffer the injury during Friday's game against the Kansas City Royals while turning at first base trying to leg out a double. He immediately pulled up and had difficulty putting weight on his right leg as he hobbled to second base.

This is not the first time Robert has sustained an injury to his right hip flexor. In 2021, he suffered a more severe Grade 3 strain that kept him on the injured list for nearly three-and-a-half months.

Robert is coming off an All-Star season in 2023, in which he hit .264 with an .857 OPS, 38 home runs, 36 doubles, 80 RBI and 20 stolen bases.

The White Sox were already struggling with Robert in their lineup, compiling the worst record in the American League at 1-8 going into Monday's game at the Cleveland Guardians. They've scored the fewest runs in MLB with 16 and have the AL's worst run differential at -26.

How much worse could the White Sox offense get without its best hitter? The team is also without designated hitter Eloy Jiménez, who is currently on the 10-day injured list due to a left adductor strain suffered last week and could return this week.

"Guys are starting to realize we are not playing good enough ball, and I think that guys are starting to get [angry]," pitcher Garrett Crochet told the Sun-Times.