Luis Robert officially back with White Sox

The White Sox officially added Luis Robert to the 40-man roster Monday afternoon.

The center fielder will join the team tonight and is expected to start in center field Monday night when the Sox open a three-game series against the Twins.

Robert, 23, suffered a Grade 3 strain of his right hip flexor running to first base May 2, and the Sox have been getting along without him since. He began his rehab assignment July 21 at High-A Winston-Salem, and now, two weeks after Eloy Jimenez returned from his injury, is set to return.

The Sox released Triple-A Charlotte outfielder Luis González, who is undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery next week, clearing space for Robert on the 40-man roster. The Sox will likely try to re-sign Gonzalez.

The team also optioned infielder Gavin Sheets to Charlotte.

Robert was runner-up for American League Rookie of the Year in 2020 and won the Gold Glove Award for AL center fielders. He was batting .316/.359/.463 with one home run, one triple, nine doubles and eight RBI in 25 games when he got hurt. Stats aside, Robert’s presence will add a rangy, strong-armed dimension to center field, and his speed and power should inject a jolt of energy to a lineup that could use one. The Sox signed him to a six-year, $50 million contract extension in 2020.