Robinson Cano was placed on the DL (quad strain) a year ago for the first time since 2006, spent the minimum seven days out and still played in 150 games for the 11th straight year.
The only players who have longer streaks are Willie Mays and (I was shocked by this one) Bobby Abreu at 13 consecutive years, and Cal Ripken Jr., Pete Rose and Billy Williams at 12. That seasons were once 154 games or shortened due to labor strife or players used to miss time for military service certainly affects this list.
Still, this speaks to Cano’s incredible durability — I always thought his passion to be on the field negated his critics in New York who felt he was a malingerer for not running hard on every grounder. It was a bad look, but should not have been a reflection on how much Cano loved to play.
On Sunday, Cano suffered a break in his right hand when hit by Detroit’s Blaine Hardy. He will not play 150 games this year, and if surgery is prescribed when he visits doctors Tuesday, he could be gone until after the All-Star break.
The Mariners have gone the longest in the four major sports (since 2001) without making the playoffs. They have particularly relied on their offense this year. Through Sunday, Seattle had played 38 games, and manager Scott Servais had written Cano’s name into the No. 3 batting slot in all 38.
Three quick thoughts:
1. Noah Syndergaard starts Tuesday against the Blue Jays, his second career start against the organization that drafted him. It should be remembered, though, that when the Mets dealt R.A. Dickey to Toronto in December 2012, the key return was Travis d’Arnaud. Syndergaard was considered the second piece.
2. Over the weekend, the 1,000th player already was used in the majors this year. The Braves were the first team to use 40.
3. After Michael Brantley lost so much time in 2016-17 after needing surgeries to his right ankle and particularly his right shoulder, questions emerged if the Indians would pick up his $11 million option for 2018. But Brantley is reminding how exceptional he was in 2014-15, as he is hitting .331 with a .916 OPS and 27 RBIs.