DENVER — The Orioles are taking a chance on an outfield bat who is still owed about $5 million for the remainder of the year.

Baltimore is claiming outfielder Luis Robert Jr., three sources confirmed, and as SNY first reported. Robert, 29, has had a difficult season for the New York Mets, but he has been hot in August, hitting .267 with an .841 on-base-plus-slugging percentage this month.

Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said Robert’s swing decisions have improved with the Mets. He’s a “great addition,” Albernaz said. “The talent stands out big time.”

Robert has missed time this year through injury. When on the field, his walk rate rose to a career-high 10.6% and his strikeout rate dropped to 24.3%, which is almost 10 percentage points lower than 2024.

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The Mets, who are out of the playoff picture, put Robert on waivers in a cost-saving move. The Orioles opted to take a chance on him. He can play all three outfield spots and is historically better against left-handed pitching.

Robert, a former All-Star with the Chicago White Sox, is in the final year of what was a six-year extension he signed in 2020. The Mets picked up the first $20 million club option as part of the deal after trading for him over the winter. Robert has another $20 million club option for next year.

Robert’s base salary is about $3 million the rest of this season, and he will be owed $2 million as the buyout from that club option if the Orioles don’t exercise it.

Robert is hitting .223 with a .702 OPS this year, but he has been much better this month. He may well take the roster spot of rookie outfielder Christian Franklin. The other option would be to keep Franklin and activate Robert on Tuesday when rosters expand.

For a player to be eligible for the postseason, he needed to be added to an organization by Aug. 31, so Robert qualifies.

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This appears to be a win-now move from Baltimore less than a month after the club opted to sell at the trade deadline. The Orioles moved on from catcher Adley Rutschman, outfielder Taylor Ward and right-hander Tyler Wells. But they remain only one game out of the final American League wild-card spot.

To make room for Robert on the 40-man roster, Baltimore designated infielder Luis Vázquez for assignment. Robert hasn’t yet reported to the major league roster.

“You bring in a caliber of player like Luis Robert, I mean, it wasn’t a long time ago where Luis was talked about as one of the best players in the game,” Albernaz said. “The talent is there. He’s dealt with some injuries and he’s come out on the other side, and he’s put a lot of great work in. To have him, hopefully it injects a lot of energy in the clubhouse.”

Cade Povich returns

The Orioles recalled left-hander Cade Povich to start Monday’s game against the Colorado Rockies. In a corresponding move, they optioned right-hander Anthony Nunez.

Povich’s start either indicates the Orioles are moving to a six-man rotation, or this is a spot start to give the rotation an extra day during a long stretch of games with no off days.

Albernaz didn’t close the door on Baltimore using a six-man rotation, but with three off days in September, the Orioles may be better served to keep Povich as a long relief option after Monday’s start.