As expected, Canó is released by the Mets

The New York Mets released Robinson Canó on Sunday, a move that comes a week after the slumping second baseman was designated for assignment despite nearly $45 million remaining on his contract.

The 39-year-old Canó sat out last season while serving his second suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. He batted .195 (8 for 41) with one home run, three RBIs and a paltry .501 OPS in 43 plate appearances for the NL East-leading Mets.

Canó has a .302 career batting average with 335 home runs, 1,305 RBIs and an .842 OPS in 17 seasons. He has 2,632 hits, including 571 doubles. Canó is owed $44,703,297 by the Mets from the remainder of the $240 million, 10-year contract he signed with Seattle. He has lost $35,741,935 because of the two drug suspensions.

Now that he has been released by the Mets, a team could sign him for a prorated share of the $700,000 minimum this season and also pay the $710,000 minimum in 2023.

In a deal that also netted closer Edwin Díaz, the Mets shipped five players to Seattle in December 2018 — including prized outfield prospect Jarred Kelenic, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2018 amateur draft. New York agreed to assume the $100 million left on the final five years of Canó's contract at the time.

Canó ended up playing only 168 games for the Mets, batting .269 with 24 homers, 72 RBIs and a .765 OPS.

IL moves

The Boston Red Sox placed right-hander Michael Wacha on the 15-day injured list with left intercostal irritation.

He was scratched from

Sunday's start against the Chicago White Sox after experiencing soreness in his side.

Wacha has been Boston's best starter so far this season. He is 3-0 with a 1.38 ERA through five starts.

The Philadelphia Phillies placed right-handed starters Zack Wheeler and Zach Eflin on the COVIDrelated injured list.

Wheeler is 1-3 with a 4.10 ERA through five starts this season. He made the AllStar team in 2021 and was runner-up in the National League Cy Young Award voting after finishing 14-10 with a 2.78 ERA and a leagueleading 247 strikeouts.

Eflin is 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA through five starts in his seventh season with the Phillies.

The Minnesota Twins placed outfielder Trevor Larnach on the 10-day injured list with a right adductor strain.

Larnach is batting .313 with nine doubles and seven RBIs in 22 games this season.

JOHN MINCHILLO – THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Robinson Cano, right, who was designated for assignment and ultimately released by the Mets on Sunday, was batting just .195with one homer in 43plate appearances this season.