Luis Robert Jr. briefly took up the role of a general manager when the topic of trade talks came up Tuesday afternoon at Rate Field.
“I think right now, as my season is going, I don’t think anybody is going to take a chance on me,” Robert said through an interpreter in a lighthearted moment.
Robert’s mind isn’t on any of those conversations.
“I just focus on trying to get better,” he said. “I can’t think of anything else.”
Robert’s name had been mentioned in trade speculation during the offseason. The chatter hasn’t died down much in the regular season, even though the Chicago White Sox center fielder is off to a slow start.
He entered Tuesday slashing .186/.281/.308 with five home runs and 17 RBIs in 44 games.
“I feel good in the cage, I feel good throughout my preparation for the game, it’s just a matter of the results haven’t been there in the games,” Robert said. “But I’ve been feeling good with my routine.
“Everybody here works hard to get the results every day. When you are working hard and the results aren’t there, it’s sad. You feel a little sad, for sure.”
Robert is trying to find the proper mix of aggressiveness and patience at the plate.
“I’ve been feeling good with my strike zone,” Robert said. “(But) I’ve been missing the pitches that I’m not supposed to miss. That has been the bigger issue.
“I think it’s because I’m thinking too much. I think I’m thinking the pitches that are balls instead of pitches that are being thrown as strikes.”
Manager Will Venable is confident Robert will find the balance.
“We’ve talked, and for me, as an observer, you see a guy that has one mentality on the bases and in the outfield and that’s an aggressive one and then maybe a little in between at the plate,” Venable said. “For me, it’s just about making sure he felt supported. At the same time, we’re challenging him to do all the right things that he needs to do to make adjustments to get better and he’s doing those things.
“I think he knows where he’s at. He’s working extremely hard to make adjustments. He’s going to find what he needs to find to have more confidence at the plate.”
Robert has been a threat when he does reach safely, leading the majors with 17 stolen bases entering Tuesday.
“I’ve been stealing a lot of bases just because I have that ability and just trying to make the most of the chances that are on the bases,” Robert said. “There have been few instances where I’ve been able to do that, especially with the season that I’ve been having at the plate. But that’s something that I enjoy. I try to help my team in any way I can.”
Robert is focused on putting in the work to get back to his 2023 All-Star form.
“I try to be that player every day,” Robert said. “I prepare myself the best way I can to be that player. If at the end of the day the results aren’t there, that is something I can’t control. But I prepare myself to be that player every day.”
Pitcher Adrian Houser signs a one-year deal with the Sox
The Sox signed free agent right-handed pitcher Adrian Houser to a one-year, $1.35 million contract, the team announced Tuesday afternoon.
The Sox slotted Houser right into the rotation, as he was the scheduled starter for Tuesday’s game against the Seattle Mariners.
Houser, 32, is 32-39 with a 4.21 ERA, one shutout and 484 strikeouts in 152 career outings (104 starts) during eight major-league seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers (2015, 2018-23) and New York Mets (2024).
He went 2-2 with a 5.03 ERA and 37 strikeouts in nine appearances (eight starts) with Triple-A Round Rock in the Texas Rangers organization this season before being released on May 15.
“Excited to insert him into the rotation,” Venable said. “His stuff has ticked up this year. He’s got experience, over 100 starts in the major leagues, so happy to slot him in. He’s going to put the ball on the ground against righties and has some different ways to get lefties out.
“Excited to add him to the mix.”
In Tuesday’s corresponding move, the Sox designated pitcher Yoendrys Gómez for assignment. The right-hander allowed three runs in 3 1/3 innings during three appearances with the Sox after being claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 10.
With Houser’s arrival, Bryse Wilson will shift back to the bullpen. Wilson worked in a starter’s role after Martín Pérez went on the 60-day injured list in late April with a left flexor strain.