Mariners’ Robinson Cano suffers broken toe in Japan Series
By Jake Misener
Calling it “part of the game,” Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano left the Tokyo Dome Saturday after being hit by a pitch in the right foot, thus ending his part in the Japan Series between some of Major League Baseball’s talent and players in Japan.
According to an MLB.com report, Cano was hit in the top of the right foot by a Yuki Nishi pitch in the eighth inning, which resulted in what is being called a non-displaced fracture of his pinkie toe – although neither MLB nor the Mariners have confirmed the extent of the injury. If that is the case, the All-Star infielder will miss up to a month before beginning baseball activities shortly before Christmas.
"“It’s part of the game, getting hurt,” Cano said before leaving the stadium. “I’ll be fine.”"
The same report points out the durability Cano has demonstrated during his big league career, averaging 160 games over the last eight years. That strength and ability to avoid injury was a motivating factor in the Mariners pursuing the second baseman last season, eventually signing him away from the New York Yankees with a 10-year, $240 million contract.
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Appearing in 157 games for Seattle this season, the 32-year-old Cano saw his power numbers decline from his numbers in New York, where he began his career, but he posted a .314/.382/.454 slash line – on-par with most of his career numbers – also driving in 82 runs with 17 home runs and 37 doubles.
Cano has finished in the top five of the American League MVP voting in five of the last six seasons, including a second-straight fifth-place finish in 2014. Over the course of his ten-year career, the left-handed-swinging power bat has averaged just under 200 hits per season, collecting five Silver Slugger Awards and a pair of Gold Gloves, as well.
In his absence, Houston Astros infielder Jose Altuve will likely see the primary share of playing time at second base in the remaining games of the Japan Series. Cano finishes play with a 2-for-10 mark for the U.S. squad.