Something finally went right for Robinson Cano in his first season with the Mets.
His torn left hamstring, which was initially believed put his season in jeopardy, has healed faster than most expected. Now the veteran second baseman may have a chance to make an impact for the Mets when it really matters.
Cano played seven innings at second base for Single-A Brooklyn on Saturday night in Coney Island, going 2-for-4 at the plate, and expects to rejoin the Mets in the nation’s capital on Tuesday for their series with the Nationals after another game with the Cyclones on Labor Day.
“That’s the plan for now,” Cano said. “I feel good today, hopefully tomorrow it feels good. I’m excited to go back and help the team to win.”
When Cano first suffered the injury, he was told he could be out anywhere from 6-12 weeks. But he recently began increasing his work load to batting practice and running, and he looked good Saturday.
Cano singled and doubled in four at-bats, scoring a run and driving in another. After grounding out in each of his first two trips to the plate, Cano seemed to find his rhythm. He lined a double into the left-field corner leading off the sixth inning, and in the seventh he laced a run-scoring single to center field. He was pulled for a pinch-runner, ending his evening.
Cano seemed fine running the bases. He didn’t all-out sprint, but he didn’t appear to be favoring his left leg, either. Cano didn’t get much work in the field. He handled a putout on a force play and turned a double play in the second inning, leaping to avoid the oncoming runner.
“Running I feel 100 percent,” he said. “I haven’t felt anything [in my hamstring] and hopefully I don’t feel anything again when I play on Monday.”
The 36-year-old Cano had struggled in his first season in Queens, dealing with multiple injuries and slashing an underwhelming .252/.295/.415 with 10 homers and 32 RBIs in 86 games. But just as he was finding his swing — posting a .857 OPS in his last 30 games — he tore his hamstring, pulling up lame after singling in a rout of the Pirates on Aug. 4.
Yet, he could be back a month later, with a chance to help the Mets reach the postseason.
“I’m looking forward to going back,” he said, “and giving everything I got.”
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