Robinson Cano designated for assignment, bringing Mets' roster down to 26 players
The Robinson Cano era in Flushing has likely drawn to a close.
As MLB rosters had to be trimmed to 26 players by Monday, Cano was one of the odd men out as the Mets designated him for assignment and optioned reliever Yoan Lopez to Triple-A Syracuse.
It was a difficult call for the Mets, who still owe the 39-year-old infielder around $40.5 million between the 2021 and 2022 seasons. However, in 12 games, Cano is batting .195 with an on-base percentage of .233 and one home run, three runs and three RBI, drawing the ire of fans at Citi Field.
The move signals the end of Cano's turbulent time with the Mets.
The team acquired Cano and closer Edwin Diaz in a trade that sent top prospect Jarred Kelenic and four other players to the Mariners in December 2018. In his first season with the Mets in 2019, Cano slashed .256/.307/.428 with 13 home runs, 39 RBI and 46 runs in 107 games.
During the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Cano took a step up and posted marks of .316/.352/.544 with 10 home runs, 30 RBI and 23 runs, but he missed all of 2021 after he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs for the second time in his career.
The Mets could have optioned Dominic Smith, J.D. Davis or Luis Guillorme or designated Travis Jankowski for assignment. But each of those players has filled a unique productive role in the team's strong 16-7 start.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
Andrew Tredinnick is the Mets beat writer for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all Mets analysis, news, trades and more, please subscribe today and download our app.
Email: atredinnick@gannett.com Twitter: @andrew_tred
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets designate Robinson Cano for assignment in roster news
