On paper, Thursday night time’s matchup between the Mets and Nationals appeared like every bizarre spring coaching sport.
Nonetheless, Mets slugger Pete Alonso had the night time off. However as a substitute of Dom Smith getting the beginning, supervisor Buck Showalter penned Robinson Cano to man the nook. The 39-year-old has performed first base before–14 video games, 10 begins with the Seattle Mariners in 2018–but he’s recognized for his protection at second base.
“He looked comfortable over there,” Showalter mentioned after the Mets’ 7-3 loss on Thursday. “He’s done it before, it’s good to get that under his belt.”
Showalter has made it a degree to have versatility on his workforce. Utilizing newly-signed gamers like Eduardo Escobar in a number of positions to having Smith and JD Davis begin video games within the DH position, the Mets are primed to adapt their lineup when there’s an damage or two throughout a protracted season.
“Whatever it takes in order for this team to win games,” Cano advised SNY’s Michelle Margeaux after being pulled within the sixth inning. “Irrespective of the place I’ve to play, I had an excellent sport and I’m simply having enjoyable.
“I really feel comfy. It was higher than what I anticipated. Simply completely satisfied to be on the sector.”
Cano looked pretty comfortable at first base, taking multiple grounders, flipping to Thursday’s starter, Taijuan Walker, to slapping a tag after an errant throw, which had Keith Hernandez impressed.
“He made some good feeds,” Walker said after his start. “He’s funny over there…Every ball I threw to him he was laughing, talking crap to everyone. He was having a good time.”
Interesting enough, Cano didn’t find out he was playing first base until he saw the lineup on Thursday. He left his first base glove at home and had to use Alonso’s training glove during the game. Alonso in fact took grounders with Cano before batting practice to get the veteran ready to play.
“[Alonso] was helping me out. Petey is a guy who just came into the league, great kid, works hard,” Cano said. “I tell him today, you go first and I’ll follow you and he was helping me out.”
While Cano looked like a natural, he says he still has to learn the trade. Holding runners on, especially against left-handed hitters like Juan Soto, he still has to get comfortable with, but there may be more opportunities for him this spring.
Showalter told Cano when he got to camp that he should expect to play multiple positions and there was no dialogue about it, and that’s perfectly fine with him.
“From the first day that I get to come [Showalter] told me I would play first, second and DH,” Cano said. “I’m simply completely satisfied to be right here and luxuriate in each second. And the way in which the teammates handled me, I’m simply completely satisfied to be right here.”
