MLB notes: Mariners’ Robinson Cano shows grit playing with injury

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.

Furbush nominated

Left-hander Charlie Furbush, recovering from a slight tear in his rotator cuff, is the Mariners’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, which recognizes achievements on and off the field.

Among other charitable acts, Furbush served the last two years as host for the Mariners Care Cystic Fibrosis Golf Tournament, which raised over $410,000 for research.

Furbush, 29, is in his fifth year and was 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA in 33 games when placed on the disabled list following a July 7 appearance.

Fans can help determine the award’s winner, beginning Wednesday, in an online vote at www.ChevyBaseball.com. Online voting runs through Oct. 9. The winner will be announced at the World Series.

Three Mariners have received the award: second baseman Harold Reynolds in 1991; left-handed pitcher Jamie Moyer in 2003; and designated hitter Edgar Martinez in 2004.

Astronaut makes delivery

Astronaut Terry Virts stopped by Camden Yards to return an Orioles jersey he took to the International Space Station.

Virts was born and raised in Baltimore. He asked the Orioles if he could take a jersey into space, and he was given one with his name on the back. He presented the orange jersey to manager Buck Showalter on Monday before Baltimore faced the Boston Red Sox. Virts then threw out the first pitch.