Chicago White Sox outfield prospect Luis Robert is set to miss the next 10 weeks because of sprained left thumb ligament, per an official announcement from the team on Saturday.
Robert sustained the injury during the White Sox’s spring training game on Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds after sliding into second base. The left hand of Robert will be immobilized for approximately six weeks, leaving four weeks set aside for Robert to prepare for his return to game action.
In that same game he left injured in, Robert had already left his mark. He hit a grand slam in the bottom of the 8th inning off of Reds right-hander Jackson Stephens to help power Chicago to a 14-12 win. Robert said he could hear the fans in the crowd chanting for him:
“When I was walking to home plate, I heard the crowd and they were chanting for me,” Robert said. “It made me excited. I took a deep breath and focused. I was ready for the slider. He threw me the pitch and I hit it. When I hit the ball, I knew it was gone.”
That homer for Robert also came with the injured thumb already, as the ligament became damaged in the 5th inning of the contest.
The 20-year-old Robert is ranked as the third best overall prospect in the White Sox organization by MLB Pipline behind only right-handed pitching prospect Michael Kopech and fellow outfielder Eloy Jimenez. Chicago signed Robert last May as the top-ranked international free agent to a minor-league contract that featured a $26 million signing bonus.
Once he returns from injury, Robert is expected to open the season at the White Sox’ Class-A affiliate in the Kannapolis Intimadtors. Robert wrecked rookie ball in 2017 by slashing .310/.491/.536 with 3 home runs, 14 runs batted in, and 12 stolen bases.
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