TORONTO — On a team full of players swinging hot bats, Robinson Cano might have been the best over the past few weeks. But a sore right quadriceps forced him out of the lineup on Thursday.
Cano was a late scratch from the Mariners’ starting lineup and didn’t not participate in the on-field pregame workout. The team announced the move just before the Mariners began batting practice. Mike Freeman was inserted into the lineup at second base and batting seventh. Nelson Cruz moved up to the No. 3 spot in the batting order that Cano usually occupies.
He suffered the quad strain on Tuesday night in Philadelphia after hitting a homer and doubling.