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

[image or embed]

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).