PORT ST. LUCIE — Robinson Cano needed a March test for reassurance he won’t be restricted this season by National League baseball.
So last week, the Mets’ new second baseman told manager Mickey Callaway something unusual coming from a veteran player in spring training: He wanted to play in six straight games over as many days, riding the bus for three of them on the road.
Even if two of the games would be as the designated hitter, Cano’s purpose was to test his 36-year-old body for the grind of this season in a new league. Cano spent the first 14 years of his career with the Yankees and Mariners.