Mets fans can take a sigh of relief today as the organization announced it designated struggling Robinson Canó for assignment.
Amid the news MLB teams had to cut two players to bring rosters from 28 to 26, questions swirled about whether Canó would be kept and one of Dom Smith, Travis Jankowski, Luis Guillorme, or J.D. Davis would be let loose. Many Mets players looked up to veteran Canó for his leadership in the clubhouse, but it was time for the team to part ways with the slumping second baseman/designated hitter.
Canó, 39, who is still owed more than $40 million from the Mets, hit just .195 with one home run and three RBI and had a .501 OPS in 43 plate appearances after returning from a yearlong suspension for performance enhancing drugs. He started in six games at second base and five at designated hitter.
The eight-time MLB All-Star and 2009 World Series champion tainted a possible Hall of Fame resume after being banned for illegal substances twice—the first suspension was 80 games in 2018.
Canó came to the Mets during the Wilpons-Van Wagenen era in a blockbuster trade that landed both him and closer Edwin Díaz in Flushing. He will become a free agent next week.
The team also optioned reliever Yoan López to Syracuse (Triple-A).
The Mets, who won the first seven series of the season, have the best record in the National League and open up a four-game series against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night (May 2).
(Photo: Anthony J. Causi/NY Post/Cropped)
