Cano concerned, but that’s all

TORONTO – What’s wrong with Robinson Cano?

That question grows louder each day as the Mariners’ perennial All-Star second baseman continues to scuffle through a season that has now passed the one-quarter mark.

Cano is batting just .253 after going 0 for 3 with a walk in Saturday’s 3-2 win over the Blue Jays. He has only one homer and 11 RBIs through 42 games.

“You’re trying to figure it out every single day,” he said. “You keep the same energy. I get here (to the ballpark) and do the same thing every single day. And I know one day, things are going to change around.

“The last thing I want to do is hang my head and change my attitude. I will never do that. I will keep being the same guy. Always root for the guys and try to do my job when I get to the plate.”

Here’s the thing … Cano has been here before. Only worse.

“In 2008,” he recalled. “I think in the first half, I hit like .200. It was something really low. I think that was the first year of my (multiyear) contract with the Yankees.”

Cano didn’t get above .200 for good that season until May 14. As late as June 13, 67 games into the season, he was batting .217 with a mere four homers and 20 RBIs.

Then the typical Cano returned. He batted .311 over his final 92 games with 10 homers and 52 RBIs. Even so, he’s not simply assuming it will happen again this year.

“Of course I’m concerned,” he said, “but I understand I’ve been in this situation before.”

Jackson update

Center fielder Austin Jackson entered Saturday at 6 for 24 through six games of his rehab assignment at Triple-A Tacoma for a sprained right ankle.

“Austin went 1 for 5 last night with three strikeouts,” M’s manager Lloyd McClendon said. “The ankle is feeling good, but the bat isn’t feeling too good.”