Baseball Chat

[blackcat]

The overnight news Saturday from Japan sent a shiver through the Mariners when All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano suffered a broken baby toe on his right foot when hit by a pitch.

He is expected to miss three-to-four weeks.

“It’s part of the game, getting hurt,” Cano told MLB.com. “I’ll be fine.”

The initial report from MLB.com cited a source as saying X-rays at a Tokyo hospital revealed a non-displaced fracture. The Mariners have not yet confirmed the report.

Cano’s recovery period, if accurate, will not limit his participation when the Mariners begin full-squad workouts Feb. 25 at spring training in Peoria, Ariz.

The injury occurred when Cano was hit by Yuki Nishi in the seventh inning of 4-0 loss by a Major League touring team to Japan’s national team at the Tokyo Dome. Four Japanese pitchers combined on a no-hitter.

Cano, 32, was 2-for-10 in three games against Japan, which holds a 3-0 edge in the five-game series. He batted .314 this season for the Mariners with 14 homers and 82 RBIs in 157 games.