New York Mets: Robinson Cano talks his health, Melky Cabrera, Amed Rosario

Robinson Cano is entering his second season with the New York Mets. The team acquired Cano and reliever Edwin Diaz from the Seattle Mariners in December 2018 for prospects Jarred Kelenic and Justin Dunn, pitchers Anthony Swarzak and Gerson Bautista and outfielder Jay Bruce.

Major League Baseball is prepping for a 60-game regular season in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. On Thursday, Cano expressed how the situation is “really hard” (quotes per Mike Puma of the New York Post).

“It’s really hard right now, but I’ve also got to understand the situation,” Cano said Thursday. “I was home training, do some biking every day and try to keep myself in shape, because it was like a week or two weeks before the season starts.”

Despite an eight-day absence from Mets’ summer camp, Cano feels good “physically.”

“I don’t want to say that I feel behind,” Cano said. “But I think we have got a week left, and I think I can get some at-bats, 20-25, and for me the main thing right now is I feel good physically and was able to keep myself in shape.”

The Mets recently signed outfielder Melky Cabrera to their 60-player pool. Cabrera and Cano were teammates on the New York Yankees from 2005-09.

Cano says Cabrera “means a lot” to him.

“[Cabrera] means a lot to me,” Cano said. “We came over here with the Yankees and created a good relationship, won a championship together and it’s good to have him here. I know what he can bring to the table and also he’s a guy with experience that can help the team from both sides of the plate, in the outfield. He can help this team to win games.”

Cano has high praise for his double-play partner, Amed Rosario.

“After the second half last year, the way he improved and the numbers he was able to put up, he was better than the year before,” Cano said. “He came into spring training in shape and he’s a guy, he can still grow. He will be one of the best shortstops in this game. It’s just a matter of time and some guys take longer than the other ones.”

Cano was limited to 107 games last season due to injuries. He hit .256, posted a .736 OPS, and totaled 13 home runs and 39 RBIs.