Cano back from 80-game suspension

OAKLAND, Calif. — Robinson Cano is back in the major leagues with the Mariners after serving an 80-game drug suspension.

The eight-time All-Star has a new position — first base, for the first time — and a new spot in the batting order, too.

“It feels great to be back, especially the way the team is playing,” Cano said before Tuesday night’s game against the Athletics. “I’m excited. I was waiting for this moment.”

Cano arrived in Oakland late Monday, woke up early Tuesday and was at the Coliseum taking batting practice underneath the outfield stands three hours before the scheduled first pitch.

“It was really hard, I’m not going to lie,” Cano said. “It was so hard watching the game from home knowing that (I) should be in there. My daughter was the thing that kept me positive. That was the biggest thing, being around my family.”

The 35-year-old Cano rejoins a Seattle team that is in the middle of a playoff race. Cano would be ineligible for postseason play if his team makes it.

Cano was batting second after hitting third in 39 games before getting suspended. He was hit- ting .287 with and 23 RBIs penalized.

“It’s been a long wait for Robbie,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “We’ve hung in there. We’ve put ourselves in a position where these games are very important and he’ s anxious to get back out there and help us.”

Cano was suspended May 15 after testing positive for Furosemide, a diuretic that can be used to mask performanceenhancing drugs. The former Yankee underwent surgery to repair the fractured metacarpal in his right hand shortly after the suspension was announced. four home runs when he was