MLB All-Star Game 2013: Robinson Cano Hit by Pitch, Likely to Play Friday

Jul 16, 2013; Flushing , NY, USA; American League infielder Robinson Cano (24) of the New York Yankees walks back to the dugout after being replaced with a pinch runner in the first inning in the 2013 All Star Game at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

After Mike Trout started the 2013 All-Star game with a leadoff double on the very first pitch from hometown kid Matt Harvey, Robinson Cano was unable to get out of the way of a fastball that ran inside on the Yankee slugger, taking 92 miles per hour off the right quad.

Cano originally went to first base, but was replaced by Boston Red Sox second basemen Dustin Pedroia after Miguel Cabrera struck out. Once he exited, he went into the locker room, where he was diagnosed with a bruised quadriceps.

Trainers recommended that Cano ice and rest for the remainder of the All-Star break, but the injury is not too serious.

Harvey had this to say about hitting Cano in the first inning at Citi Field.

“We had called fastball in there. I knew I had to get it inside but obviously I didn’t want to get it in that much. Once I let it go, I could kinda feel it. I cut it a little bit, so I was hoping he was going to be able to get out of the way. But unfortunately, he didn’t. It definitely was not intentional.”

Yankees fans could breathe a sigh of relief once Cano was able to come back into the dugout to watch the remainder of the game with his teammates. Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira, and Alex Rodriguez have all missed extended periods of time, leaving lone superstar Cano in the lineup without much protection.

Teixeira, Rodriguez, and Jeter have combined for a total of 16 hits this season. It is safe to say that that is not what Yankees brass and fans expected entering this season.

Regardless, Cano said in an in-game interview that he would play on Friday, the Yankees first game following the break.