Orioles Lose Their $5 Million Gamble In Short Order

The Baltimore Orioles took a calculated gamble in claiming oft-injury outfielder Luis Robert Jr. off waivers from the New York Mets. With almost $5 million still remaining on his massive contract, the slugger was having a resurgent month of August. But then... there is always the injury bug waiting around the corner for Robert Jr., isn't there? That's where the gamble comes in.

On Sunday, the O's lost that gamble, as they were forced to place Robert Jr. on the injured list with a hamstring injury. 

The Baltimore Orioles, who just took a $5 million gamble picking up CF Luis Robert Jr, now watch a chunk of it go down the drain with Robert (hamstring) going on the IL yet again.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 6, 2026

He played only three games for Baltimore, going 2-for-11 with a homer. That's a very expensive long ball if he isn't able to return before the season is out. 

Orioles are placing Luis Robert Jr. on the 10-day IL with a hamstring injury pic.twitter.com/v2khRd50EW

— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 6, 2026

 For now, it's being called a "low-grade" hamstring injury, and there's a chance he may be able to return when he eligible on Sept. 15th. But that's 10 games he'll be out that will be crucial to the Orioles' chances of trying to claim that final Wild Card spot in the American League. They currently trail the Cleveland Guardians by a full 4.0 games, and the runner-up Toronto Blue Jays by 3.0 games. 

And guess who the O's are playing in their next two series? Yup. Three-game sets with each of the Guards and the Jays, which will be critical to any postseason hopes Baltimore still clings to. 

Robert Jr. will be watching from the sidelines. The same as he's done 340 other times these past seven seasons.  

At the end of the campaing, the O's will have to decide whether they'll pick up his $20 million option for next season or pay him a $2 million buyout. Would they take another $18 million gamble?