SEATTLE — It’s been six-plus weeks now that Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano has played through the limitations of a strained abdominal muscle.
“Any time that I force it,” he said, “I can feel it a little bit. Every time I run I feel it, but then it just goes away.”
Cano said he feels it most when he attempts a quick first step, either in breaking from the batters’ box or in pursuit of a ground ball. While he doesn’t believe it’s getting worse, neither is it getting better.
“It’s the same thing,” he said. “It just hasn’t gone away. It’s just every time I run, it feels the same.”
The strain surfaced in late July, and Cano missed three games before returning Aug. 1 as a designated hitter. Two days later, he was back in the field.
“He’s a tough SOB,” manager Lloyd McClendon said. “It’s unfortunate that (some) people think he’s dogging it. He’s not. He’s actually showing up and posting up every day when most people wouldn’t be able to go.
“He’s been productive as well.”
Cano was batting .315, prior to Monday, in 40 games since returning to the lineup. He also had a .369 on-base percentage and a .463 slugging percentage in that span.
“He’s going to have the (abdominal strain) the rest of the year,” McClendon said. “He’ll continue to grind it out. And at the season’s end, he’ll rest up, rehab and be ready next spring.”
McClendon said he doesn’t foresee Cano much, if any, rest over the final three weeks.
“Probably not,” McClendon said. “These games are so important. I just don’t see it happening.”
That’s fine with Cano.
“I love this game,” he said, “so, like I tell Lloyd, I mean if I’m out in the field and my legs are tied, I’ll tell him ‘I need a day today,’ but I mean, most of the time (when) it feels worse is after the game.
“And also, I want to play this game. So If I get a chance ill be out there every day.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
