GLENDALE, Ariz. — Luis Robert Jr. smoked a batting practice pitch over the center-field wall on one of the practice fields at Camelback Ranch.
After finishing his rounds, Robert had a discussion with hitting coach Marcus Thames and then headed to the outfield, where he chased down a fly ball hit by Joey Gallo.
Robert had been mentioned in trade speculation throughout the offseason. But the center fielder was back at Chicago White Sox camp on Monday, participating in the team’s first full-squad workout of the spring.
“For me, I tried to not pay attention to that,” Robert said of the trade talks. He spoke through an interpreter on Monday. “I know my job is to come here and do my best every single day. (Trade speculation is) something I can’t control.”
He said his agent has provided any necessary updates.
“It is difficult to think that way, especially when you have been with an organization throughout your whole career, and knowing there might come an end to that,” Robert said. “At the same time, you have to understand it’s a business and there’s not much you can do about it.”
Robert is focused on returning to the form that led to an All-Star selection in 2023.
“He looked great,” manager Will Venable said. “His swing looked great. He was out there with live defense, moving really well, so very excited to see him out there running around.”
Photos: An inside look at 2025 Chicago White Sox spring training
Robert, 27, is attempting to rebound after posting career lows in batting average (.224), on-base percentage (.278) and slugging (.379) in 2024. He had 14 home runs, 35 RBIs and a career-best 23 stolen bases in 100 games.
A Grade 2 right hip flexor strain impacted his season, sidelining him for nearly two months. He suffered a Grade 3 strain, a complete tear, of the right hip flexor in 2021.
“(Injuries are) a thought that’s difficult to deal with, especially when you have the same injury twice,” Robert said. “But you know what? You try not to think about it. But it’s of course in your mind. The best way you can deal with it is just getting ready, put yourself in the best position physically and mentally to overcome any challenges.
“I think the key has been once I come back from the injuries, I feel very good. I don’t have anything to hold me back. One of the things that we are going to adjust is, for whatever reason, those injuries have happened in the first month of the season when it’s cold. Then I will probably have to adjust, a little bit, my game (during) that first month, because it’s cold and you have to make some changes.”
Robert emphasized being smart in those cases.
“Run when I need to run,” Robert said. “Knowing the situation of the game, so when is the best time for me to push a little bit and try to help the team — just doing that, being smarter.”
When healthy, Robert is a force. That’s why there is interest from other clubs. He had 38 home runs and 80 RBIs in 2023 and earned a Gold Glove Award as a rookie in 2020.
Robert is making $15 million in 2025, with club options for $20 million in 2026 and 2027, and a $2 million buyout after both seasons.
“This is my team right now, I’m just getting ready to fight for this team,” Robert said. “If the moment comes and I have to move and play for another team, well, we’ll see. But right now, my focus is on doing my best for this team and trying to help this team win games.
“It has been my team throughout my whole professional career in the U.S. I think it would be beautiful to have experienced playing for just one team, the team that gave me the opportunity to make my dream come true and the team that I’m trying to help past this moment and hopefully play for this team when we are ready to compete. I think that would be a really beautiful story. But like I said before, that’s something I can’t control.”
Sox claim pitcher Owen White off waivers
The Sox claimed right-handed pitcher Owen White off waivers from the New York Yankees on Monday.
White, 25, allowed eight runs in three innings during three appearances with the Texas Rangers in 2024. He spent most of the last season at Triple-A Round Rock, going 2-8 with a 5.64 ERA in 29 games (14 starts). He has five career big-league relief appearances, allowing 13 runs in seven innings for the Rangers in 2023 and ’24.
“He’s got a bunch of different pitches in his arsenal,” Venable said. “Really somebody who can have some versatility. He can start. In Texas, came out of the bullpen. So really excited that we got Owen.”
The Cincinnati Reds had acquired White from the Rangers in January, and the Yankees selected him off waivers from the Reds on Feb. 5.
To make room for White on the 40-man roster, the Sox placed left-handed pitcher Ky Bush on the 60-day injured list. Bush underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery on Wednesday.
