Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, ending his season and all but handing Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani his first American League home run title.
Robert, who suffered a minor sprain to his medial collateral ligament in his left knee, has hit a career-high 38 homers this season and was chasing Ohtani’s 44.
The Cuban hurt his knee while trying to steal second base and was replaced against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday. He finishes his fourth MLB season batting .264 with 80 RBIs across 145 games.
Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia is third on the AL home-run chart, with two in his last three games taking him to a total of 37 before Tuesday’s game against the Angels.
The Rangers have five more to play, starting with a series finale against the Angels on Wednesday.
Ohtani last batted on Sept. 3 before right oblique tightness ruled him out of action, and was placed on the injured list on Sept. 16 to see his year end.
He last pitched on Aug. 23 when he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He underwent surgery on Sept. 19.
Ohtani’s pitching return is scheduled for 2025; he will serve solely as a hitter next season.