MLB

Padres nearing deal with Robinson Cano after Mets release

By
Social Links for Mike Puma
Published May 12, 2022
Updated May 12, 2022, 9:32 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON — Robinson Cano didn’t need long to find a new team.

Four days following his release by the Mets, the 39-year-old infielder was close to an agreement Thursday to join the Padres. The deal is expected to be completed Friday. The Post’s Jon Heyman first reported the deal was close.

Cano was designated for assignment on May 2 as rosters were reduced from 28 to 26 players. In 12 games for the Mets following a season-long PED suspension, he owned a .195/.233/.268 slash line with one homer and three RBIs.

“I am happy for him, he found a job,” Francisco Lindor said after the Mets’ 4-1 victory over the Nationals. “He found a big league job with a contending team, and that is good for him.”

The Mets will pay Cano about $37 million through next season. Lindor was asked what he expects Cano will bring to the Padres.

“The same thing he brought here: leadership and a lot of wisdom,” Lindor said. “He will probably help a lot of the younger Latin players over there, so that will be cool.”

Robinson Cano
Robinson Cano Corey Sipkin

Mark Canha said he recently began working out at first base upon manager Buck Showalter’s request.

Canha has played the position 118 times in his career, as recently as last season with Oakland. The Mets have used Pete Alonso and Dominic Smith at first base this season. Smith has struggled at the plate with a .514 OPS.

Catcher James McCann was on the bench with a sore left wrist, but said the ailment wasn’t serious. Tomas Nido started for a second straight game behind the plate and went 1-for-4 with an RBI.

Seth Lugo worked a scoreless eighth inning with two strikeouts. The right-hander has eight straight scoreless appearances for the Mets, a stretch in which he has pitched eight innings and allowed six hits. His resurgence after a rocky start to the season has been a significant factor for a Mets bullpen that began the day eighth in MLB with a 3.24 ERA.

Max Scherzer will start Friday against the Mariners on normal rest, with Chris Bassitt scheduled for Saturday. Both pitched in the doubleheader Sunday and Showalter said Bassitt might benefit more from the extra day of rest.

Jake Reed was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse and Stephen Nogosek was optioned to provide bullpen protection. Nogosek, on Wednesday, pitched three innings of scoreless relief.