New York Mets second baseman Robinson Cano departed the Estrellas Orientales roster with lower back discomfort, the Mets announced on Wednesday.
Cano will now go through physical therapy and is considered week-to-week.
Cano appeared in just four games for the LIDOM team. He went 5-of-17 at the plate, scoring twice, driving in two runs, and striking out three times. He did not record an extra-base hit.
Cano was serving as the team’s DH and was expected to see time in the field soon.
The 39-year-old performance-enhancing-drug user has served his full-season suspension and will rejoin the Mets at Spring Training. Cano was first suspended for PEDs for 80 games during the 2018 season with the Seattle Mariners.
He has two years remaining on his deal. Team president Sandy Alderson was non-committal on what Cano and his $20 million contract’s role will be this season when speaking at the GM Meetings. He was acquired in a deal with Mets closer Edwin Diaz by former Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen.
In his first two seasons with the Mets, Cano slashed .275/.321/.463 with an OPS+ of 109. He enjoyed a resurgence in the pandemic shortened 2020 season, batting .316 with a .896 OPS and 10 home runs in 49 games.
Cano has not spoken publicly since his suspension for PED use in Nov. 2020.
Cano posted on his Instagram page on Nov. 11 “We are back! Thank you to my town of San Pedro and country for always supporting. I truly have been working hard for you – my fans. It was great to be back in the game.”
