Out of Right Field: Robinson Cano reflects on dealing with suspension as Mariners thrive in his absence
Robinson Cano said he didn’t want to be a distraction.
So he sat in “The Legends” conference room in the upper levels of the Mariners’ offices at Safeco Field on Saturday, meeting with a small group of reporters that regularly covers the team for the first time since being suspended 80 games in mid-May for violating Major League Baseball’s drug-testing policy.
It was assuredly more difficult for the eight-time All-Star second baseman than facing Aroldis Chapman throwing 105 mph in the ninth inning.
“I wanted to meet with you guys before I go home (to the Dominican Republic) because you are the guys that are always with us at home and on the road,” Cano said. “For me, it’s very important that I meet with you guys. I wanted to do this earlier. But I don’t want to be a distraction for the team. So I was waiting for the right time.”
Cano, 35, tested positive for Furosemide during the offseason, a diuretic that masks the effects of performance-enhancing drugs. He was suspended by MLB but appealed, claiming the drug was prescribed for high blood pressure. He dropped the appeal just before suffering a broken right hand when hit by a pitch May 13 in Detroit.
“I’ve been getting tested for the last 12 seasons and I’ve never had an issue with MLB policy,” Cano said. “I was getting treated for some medical ailments and I was being supervised by a doctor. But at the same time, I understand that everything that goes into my body, I’m responsible for that.”
The hand healed, he plans to head home to the Dominican to begin work at his father’s baseball facility, where he will face live pitching. He’ll be eligible for a minor-league rehabilitation assignment starting Aug. 1 and can return to the Mariners on Aug. 14, though he would be ineligible should the Mariners reach the postseason for the first time since 2001, the longest current drought in the four major professional sports.
“He’s in here in the morning, does his work in the weight room and is really working very hard,” Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto, who received a multiyear contract extension Friday, told MLB.com last week. “He’s focused on contributing when he comes back, not just returning.”
The Mariners were 23-17 when Cano was sidelined/suspended. The chances were greater they’d sink to the depths of the American League West than not.
But manager Scott Servais called a brief team meeting the next day.
“He just said, ‘We’re a good team. We can still do this,’ ” left-hander James Paxton recalled. “Losing Robbie was a blow to the team. But we knew at the time everyone would have to step up to fill the void. No one guy could replace Robinson Cano.”
With a roster that seemingly has produced a different hero every day, the Mariners are 33-17 without Cano. Dee Gordon has moved from center field to play Gold Glove-caliber defense at second base, Nelson Cruz has become healthy after spraining his ankle on the dugout steps on the season’s opening weekend and Mitch Haniger is among the league leaders in RBIs. The starting rotation has been stellar, save perhaps for Felix Hernandez, and closer Edwin Diaz is on a record-setting pace.
All without Cano, whose infectious smile and clutch play always seemed to make up for his lack of hustle down the first-base line after hitting a groundball.
“For me, this is the hardest thing that I’ve gone through in my life besides the death of my grandpa,” Cano said of his suspension. “As you guys know, I love this game so much. For me, baseball is everything. You know I hate to even sit in the dugout and have a day off. Being away from the game and not being able to sit in the dugout and cheer for my teammates, that makes it even harder.”
Cano was asked about his legacy. Seemingly a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame, his place in Cooperstown is now in doubt as the Baseball Writers Association of America, which votes for the inductees, has thus far avoided voting in any players associated with performance-enhancing drugs.
“I would say I’ll leave that to the writers and you guys and the fans,” Cano said. “We all make mistakes. One thing I would say right now, it’s not about thinking about my legacy because I’m planning on playing a long time and keep playing the game I love. When the time comes that it’s time to hang up my shoes and retire, that’s when I might think about that. Right now my focus is just to prepare myself and be strong for when I get back.”
On deck
After playing host to the Los Angeles Angels and Colorado Rockies in three-game series this week, the Mariners will return the favor after an off day Monday, traveling to Anaheim and then Denver before the All-Star break.