Orioles decline Luis Robert Jr.’s $20 million 2027 team option after injury-plagued 2026

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

Baltimore has declined Luis Robert Jr.’s contract option for 2027, the club announced Saturday, a move that signals the end of the 29-year-old outfielder’s time with the Orioles after a limited and injury-affected 2026 season. The team option carried a $20 million value, and Baltimore will instead pay Robert a $2 million buyout as he becomes a free agent.

Robert appeared in only three games for the Orioles during 2026. Before that brief Baltimore stint, his season began with the Mets, who placed him on outright waivers on Aug. 29, and the Orioles claimed him two days later, on Aug. 31.

After the claim, Robert’s time in Baltimore was cut short when he was placed on the injured list on Sept. 5 with a left hamstring injury. That move ended his season, leaving his Orioles output at a 2-for-11 line with one double, one home run, three RBIs and one walk across his three appearances.

Robert also missed nearly three months earlier in the year due to a lumbar spine herniation. With the Mets in 2026, he hit .223 with four doubles, 10 home runs, 23 RBIs and a .702 OPS in 58 games, providing the Mets with power production after acquiring him from the Chicago White Sox in a Jan. 20 trade.

The 2026 roster changes came after a lengthy major-league stretch in Chicago. Robert spent the first six years of his MLB career with the White Sox, earning a range of individual honors including American League Rookie of the Year Award runner-up recognition and a Gold Glove in 2020, along with an All-Star selection and a Silver Slugger Award in 2023.

As Baltimore moves on from Robert, the Orioles have an ongoing need to balance roster construction and availability in their outfield mix. The team’s decision creates an opening for a right-handed bat option elsewhere in the organization’s planning, though no further signing has been announced in connection with Robert’s departure.

The option decisions do not stop with Robert. Baltimore still has one remaining option choice to make, according to the club’s offseason framework: first baseman Ryan Mountcastle holds a $7.5 million team option for 2027, and the Orioles will have to decide whether to keep him under contract.

Baltimore has already declined multiple other options. The Orioles declined right-hander Zach Eflin’s $25 million mutual option for next season, which made him a free agent. The club also declined options for left-handers Keegan Akin and Trevor Rogers and right-handers Chris Bassitt and Andrew Kittredge, each of which likewise resulted in free agency.

In the bullpen, one player’s status is already set. Right-hander Ryan Helsley opted into his $14 million player option for next season and is scheduled to return to Baltimore’s relief corps, giving the Orioles at least one confirmed piece as they finalize the rest of their 2027 roster decisions.