Mets 2B Robinson Cano has been out since Aug. 5 due to a partially torn left hamstring, and is working his way back from the injury with an eye on returning before the season is over. Here are the latest updates...
Sept. 3, 3:47 P.M.:
Cano was sighted in Washington D.C. talking to GM Brodie Van Wagenen ahead of the Mets' matchup with the Nats, which begged the question of whether or not he was activated from the IL. That's exactly the case, with the team announcing that move on Tuesday.
It was a lightning fast recovery for Cano, but the Mets won't complain. While he isn't in the lineup tonight, he will be available off the bench, and the Mets will hope that the hot bat he was swinging before he got injured hasn't cooled down when he returns to regular playing time.
Aug. 31, 9:14 P.M.:
Cano started his rehab assignment Saturday with Short-Season Brooklyn, playing seven innings and going 2-for-4 with a run and RBI. Batting out of the two spot in the lineup, he doubled and singled.
After the game, Cano said he gets Sunday off before one more game Monday. The second baseman then plans to make his Mets return Tuesday.
"If everything goes well, on Monday, I think that's going to be my last game here," said Cano, who added he feels 100 percent running. "We'll go back and meet the team (on Tuesday). ... I just can't wait. I'm excited. (The hamstring) feels good today. Hopefully, tomorrow, everything goes well, it feels good and I'm excited to go back and be able to help this team do everything to win."
Aug. 30, 4:04 PM:
Cano will begin a rehab assignment with Short-Season Brooklyn on Saturday, Mets manager Mickey Callaway said prior to Friday night's game.
"This is a big step for him," Callaway said, adding that the decision to have Cano begin a rehab assignment is based on how the player feels and what the team has been seeing from him throughout the rehab process.
"He feels like he's in a good spot," Callaway added. "Performance staff feels like he's ready to do this."
Aug. 27, 5:50 PM:
After taking live batting practice at Citi Field on Tuesday, Cano met with the media to discuss his progress.
"We're hoping I'll be able to come back this year," Cano said.
The Mets' second baseman also said that he was initially given a 6-12 week recovery period. Now three weeks into that rehab, Cano noted that the minor league season ending won't affect his progress much.
"As long as I see live pitching, that's good," said Cano.
Aug. 27, 3:29 PM:
Cano took live batting practice at Citi Field before the Mets' game against the Cubs, simulating at-bats and running to first base during the session. At one point during the session, Cano ran hard to first, cut the bag and ran to second.
The live batting practice is the most strenuous on-field activity Cano has done since suffering his hamstring injury.
Aug. 27, 1:09 PM:
Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen spoke about Cano on Tuesday during an interview with Jon Heyman and Josh Lewin on the Big Baseball Podcast.
"We're encouraged with his progress and hope that he'll be able to join us well before the season ends," Van Wagenen said after noting that Cano has been hitting both indoors and outdoors, taking ground balls, and running.
Van Wagenen said Cano had even surprised some of the training staff when it comes to how far he's come already.
Aug. 22, 4:03 PM:
Cano ran in the outfield at Citi Field before Thursday night's game against the Indians.
He took early batting practice on Wednesday and the plan after was for him to run on Thursday, Mets manager Mickey Callaway said.
Aug. 20, 3:55 PM:
Cano was out early before the Mets' game at Citi Field against the Indians, taking ground balls on the grass in shallow right field. He seemed to be moving pretty well while fielding and lightly tossing the baseballs back.
Aug. 9, 4:55 PM:
Cano is out indefinitely with a torn left hamstring, is holding out hope that he will be able to return this season.
"Yeah, of course," he said. I'm always positive. I want to play this year. I mean, just see how we feel. ... I want to play. You know me, I love to play this game. We have good trainers here, and I'll do whatever they tell me to do and to get healthy and get back out there."