Those who invested in Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano for this season might not have been sure if they were getting the version who slugged 39 home runs in 2016 or the option who was merely adequate last season, finishing 16th among qualifiers at the position on the Player Rater. They did believe, however, that Cano would hit for a strong batting average, knock in runs and avoid the disabled list, since those had been reliable facts since 2006.
Well, things change. Cano is going to be out a while after a Blaine Hardy pitch broke a bone in his right hand Sunday afternoon.