The Mets are officially parting ways with OF Luis Robert Jr., as he is headed to the Baltimore Orioles in a straight waiver claim, according to multiple reports.

Robert, 29, spent much of this season on the injured list with a back injury, the continuation of a multi-year pattern which has derailed his career, which has been mired by absence and underperformance for the better part of three straight seasons.

The Mets shopped Robert ahead of the August 3 trade deadline but were unable to find a taker. So, they instead decided to hold onto him, and he was able to increase his value to the tune of an .841 OPS with six home runs and 11 RBI in 75 at-bats this month, while also demonstrating versatility in both center and left field in recent weeks.

Overall, Robert has been worth 0.5 fWAR while hitting .223/.303/.399 with 10 home runs, 23 RBI, two stolen bases and a 96 OPS+ in 218 plate appearances over 58 games this season. The Mets acquired Robert earlier this year in a trade that sent Luisangel Acuña to the White Sox.

Acuña, conversely, has struggled in his first season in Chicago as the young infielder has hit .237/.268/.273 with one home run, 12 RBI, 16 stolen bases a .541 OPS, 53 OPS+ and a -0.3 fWAR. So, overall, the Mets come out on top from that transaction by +0.8 fWAR.

While the trade may not have killed the Mets in terms of what they gave up to get Robert, one could argue that the risk still was not ultimately worth taking for a club in the midst of an offseason where many radical changes were made to their roster. And while David Stearns was taking a gamble that the club could tap into Robert’s potential that was displayed in 2023, the Mets wound up seeing the same outfielder who struggled to produce and stay on the field for the White Sox from 2024-25.

The move will immediately create an opportunity for Nick Morabito, who will be recalled today ahead of rosters expanding in September. In addition, Mark Vientos—who has been out for nearly two months due to a broken bone in his hand — is with the Mets in St. Petersburg, Florida, and could be activated from the injured list in another roster move today.

Baltimore will be responsible for the approximate $5 million remaining on his salary for 2026, plus a $2 million buyout unless they opt to pick up his $20 million option for 2027.

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BREAKING: Luis Robert Jr. claimed off waivers…