CHICAGO – Alex Rodriguez spotted Robinson Cano across the room and shouted a greeting in Spanish that led to a big hug. Derek Jeter affectionately tapped Cano’s head twice while he did a radio interview. Jorge Posada conversed with him in a corner of the clubhouse.
Melky Cabrera beamed when talking to Cano.
Clearly, the Yankees were happy to see their All-Star second baseman back from the disabled list, where he had been since suffering a left-hamstring injury June 25.
Yes, the Yankees were 24-11 without Cano. And they went from 2½ games behind the Red Sox to 2 games in front of their rivals going into last night’s game against the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.
Still, players know who can play and who can’t.
And Yankees players know the .325 average Cano took with him was missed. Yes, Miguel Cairo played better than his .234 average indicated, but he wasn’t Cano at the plate or in the field.
It was Cairo who went on the disabled list to make room for Cano with the exact same injury that shelved Cano.
Joe Torre was told by the medical staff that Cairo, a valuable utility player because he can play all four infield positions, will be out three weeks. If that’s the case, he would be healthy enough for the postseason if the Yankees get in. But Cano was told he’d be out 10 days and it took six weeks, so there is no guarantee when Cairo will return.
“I missed it a lot, especially when I was watching the games,” said Cano, who worked his way back first at the minor-league complex in Tampa then in three rehab games with Trenton (Double-A).
Cano went 5-for-10 (.500) for the Thunder and said he didn’t feel any pain in the leg. However, it was the first significant injury of his career and Cano couldn’t lie when asked if he was confident about being completely over it.
“It’s hard; every time I want to run I think about it,” Cano said.
Torre hasn’t been told to baby Cano.
“He is going to be nonstop,” Torre said. “He is not being brought up here with any restrictions.” When Cano suffered the injury running the bases, it wasn’t believed to be serious.
That it cost him six weeks surprised him.
“The doctor told me 10 days, but two weeks later when I ran the bases in Tampa I felt the same thing,” said Cano, who worked out in front of the Yankees’ big-league staff before a Devil Rays game in St. Petersburg on July 7 and heaved his helmet in disgust when he felt discomfort in the leg rounding second base. “There is always a first time (for an injury). I hope it doesn’t happen again.” After hitting .297 last year and finishing second in the AL Rookie of the Year balloting, Cano isn’t a wide-eyed youngster.
He plays, acts and talks like a player who has been around longer than oneplus seasons. He knows he belongs.
Though he clearly is a lesser light with Rodriguez, Jeter, Johnny Damon, Jason Giambi and Bobby Abreu on the team, Cano is an important cog.
“He is a guy you don’t pinch-hit for,” Torre said of the left-handed hitter who batted seventh last night against right-hander Freddy Garcia. “Hopefully, he makes our lineup deeper.”
