Orioles' playoff push hits snag as Luis Robert Jr. lands on IL

Baltimore Orioles center fielder Luis Robert Jr. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Orioles' playoff push hits snag as Luis Robert Jr. lands on IL

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Sep 6, 2026 2:32 PM ET

Just six days after claiming Luis Robert Jr. off of waivers from the New York Mets, the Baltimore Orioles are placing him on the 10-day injured list with left hamstring discomfort.

In a corresponding move, the Orioles have recalled outfielder Rece Hinds from Triple-A Norfolk.

Robert Jr. was acquired to help bolster Baltimore's chances of securing a wild-card spot. He went 2-for-11 (.182 batting average) with a double, a home run and three RBI across three games.

The designation was retroactive to Sept. 5 and is Robert Jr.'s second IL stint this season. He was first placed on the IL with lumbar spine disc herniation on April 30. The power-hitter is known for being injury-prone.

Luis Robert Jr., new Orioles outfielder, hits injured list with hamstring discomfort

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— Baltimore Banner Sports (@sports.thebaltimorebanner.com) September 6, 2026 at 1:31 PM

Orioles postseason hopes could be spoiled with Luis Robert Jr. injury

The injury comes at an inconvenient time for the Orioles, who took a gamble spending about $5 million to take over the remainder of Robert's salary, including his 2027 contract buyout. Hoping that Robert Jr. would help fuel a late surge in a tight AL wild-card race, the plan has now taken a downturn as they have lost five in a row amid a pivotal stretch.

With the MLB regular season ending in about three weeks, Robert Jr.'s trip to the IL places their wild-card hopes in further jeopardy. He will be eligible to return on Sept. 15.

Losing Robert Jr. costs the Orioles a critical right-handed power bat. He was showing signs of life with six of his 11 home runs hit in August. The injury leaves the Orioles in a tight squeeze where they will have to search for production elsewhere in an uphill battle to secure a wild-card spot (currently three games out of final spot).

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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