The Mets have placed Robinson Cano back on the 10-day injured list due to a strained left quad, as reported by several media outlets (including Newsday’s Tim Healey). Right-hander Tim Peterson’s contract has been selected from Triple-A to take Cano’s spot on the active roster, thus giving the Mets 39 players on their 40-man roster.
After returning from a 12-game IL absence due to a previous quad strain on June 5, Cano almost immediately re-aggravated the injury while running out a grounder. Cano didn’t play any rehab games during his previous IL stint, though Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweets that one will be required this time around, as the Mets want to ensure that Cano is fully ready to go once he is eligible to come off the injured list.
While the quick return to the IL is undoubtedly frustrating to Cano, it’s possible the 36-year-old could see it as an unofficial restart to what has been a subpar 2019 season. Cano has hit .238/.284/.366 (career lows in all three slash categories) with three home runs over 183 plate appearances. His hard-hit ball metrics on Statcast indicate some level of bad luck, with a .324 xwOBA that is well above his real-world .284 wOBA, though obviously a .324 number isn’t exactly cause for celebration.
It’s also possible that Cano has simply needed some adjustment time to NL pitching after spending his previous 14 seasons in the American League, though the specter of a mid-30’s decline certainly can’t be ruled out — a scary scenario for the Mets, given that Cano is still owed well over $100MM through the 2023 season (though the Mariners will cover $15MM of that remaining salary).
With Cano out, Jeff McNeil is likely to continue seeing the bulk of action at second base, opening up some more time in left field for the hot-hitting Dominic Smith. Adeiny Hechavarria is available on the bench as further middle infield depth.
realgone2
Reminds me of Abe Simpson walking into the brothel and then right back out.
Bklyn179
To the Wilpon’s and Brody Thank You for the wonderful year we are having
realgone2
only 96 million to go……
Senioreditor
He’s going to need to go back on the juice.
thorshair
Brodie set the team back a long time with this trade
Senioreditor
Back from what? Mediocrity?
ShieldF123
Maybe it’s the age factor…. maybe it’s the lack of illegal substances…. probably both.
solaris602
There’s nothing worse for any organization than to be faced with the reality of cooking off a long albatross contract. Kudos to Dipoto for getting out from under this one in the nick of time. Gotta feel for the Mets having Cano’s burgeoning financial commitment along with the Cespedes situation. Tens of millions laid out annually for practically no production whatsoever.
101reklaw
Cano aging and was on downhill slide, and the Mets still traded for him. Really poor judgement. Got what they deserved.
goldenmisfit
Not a New York Mets fan but you realize Cano was thrown and they really want to Diaz they just took on Cano to get there closer.
Lemonade24
You don’t give a throw in 90million dollars .
This was just BVW getting his clients paid and playing time.
dswaim
He’s finding out the game is a lot harder without PEDs
Ruben_Tomorrow 2
He’s been back-and-forth on the IL so much, I forgot they even reactivated him just a few days ago.