Robinson Cano’s first year in a Mets uniform wasn’t what he or the team expected, as he dealt with injuries and up-and-down play when he was in the lineup. At age 37, some might suggest that Cano could be finally trending downward after defying the “over 30” stereotype this long.

But Luis Rojas doesn’t look at Cano’s 2019 season as one showing a player declining, and he can prove it.

“I know Robinson, per our portals and system to get information, he was one of the guys that hit the ball the hardest,” Rojas told reporters during his daily Zoom interview at Mets summer camp.

So analytically, Cano was still barreling up balls, but just not getting his normal results. There was also the fact that he played just 107 games, as injuries kept him from getting into a groove.

Rojas said that he and Cano had a conversation about better preparation in regard to remaining healthy throughout spring training and heading into the season. That’s how he came to camp in February and how he looked heading into this summer camp, in Rojas’ eyes, and the team is more than comfortable sending him out there on a daily basis. Where he will be in the lineup is another question, though.

“Robinson, we always feel comfortable how he was performing. The way he was impacting the ball, the consistency he was impacting the ball, it was the same Robinson we’ve always seen.”

Cano hit .256/.307/.428 with 13 homers and 39 RBI, which for the 15-year veteran isn’t his usual production. It was his career-worst batting average and RBI produced, so you can understand the cause for concern.

However, Rojas knows that it wasn’t because Cano couldn’t square up pitches or his bat speed lost a step. Injuries got in the way a bit, but that shouldn’t be the case to start this shortened season. Even with those down numbers, Rojas and the Mets were satisfied with how Cano was playing.

“We pretty much saw what Robinson was able to do with his bat and that was something we also expect to see starting this season,” he said.

Here’s what else Rojas touched on during his interview…

Walker Lockett hits the IL

After it was announced that Jed Lowrie is back on the IL due to left knee discomfort, the Mets said that Lockett will be joining him due to back tightness.

“He was a little bit behind when we got to camp,” Rojas said. “There was a little bit of back discomfort as well. His pitch count isn’t where we want it. He’s in a good place right now, though. …He’s just a little bit behind the rest of the group, and he’s working really hard to get there.”

Lockett actually pitched opposite Jacob deGrom during a simulated game on Sunday. Rojas said he threw around 30 pitches.

So, while Lockett won’t be available for Opening Day, it looks like he just needs to continue ramping up his workload and monitor his back in the process.

Jake Marisnick dealing with his own injury

The outfielder is suffering some hamstring tightness after playing in that sim game on Sunday.

“[He is] day-to-day, taking treatment,” Rojas said. “But he’s participating in some activities.”

Marisnick is the Mets’ best defensive option in the outfield, so having him healthy to start the season will be a great asset. If he is able to do activities, though, it doesn’t appear to be an issue to worry about at the moment.

Rojas not quite ready to set roster

The Mets kick off the 2020 regular season on Friday, so one would think the roster would be set, right? Well, Rojas isn’t going to be making decisions just yet. There are still intrasquad games to be played and he will take it down to the wire to see who deserves a spot on the initial 30-man roster.

“We’re definitely closer,” he said. “Those two [exhibition] games taught us a lot of things, not as far as individuals but as far as a team. So the next three games we’re going to play here, intrasquad, they’re definitely going to do a lot for us for the roster.”

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