Padres sign Robinson Canó
ATLANTA – The San Diego Padres have signed veteran second baseman Robinson Canó to a major league contract and plan to use him as a left-handed bat off the bench.
Canó was not in Friday’s lineup against the Atlanta Braves. Acting manager Ryan Christenson said he could get some occasional starts at second and designated hitter.
“I’ve got a lot left in the tank,” Canó said. “I know I can still play this game and just go out on top.”
The New York Mets, who released Canó on Sunday, owe him nearly $45 million remaining on his original contract signed with Seattle. He will earn a prorated share of the $700,000 minimum.
Canó, 39, was designated for assignment on May 2 after hitting .195 with one home run and three RBIs in 43 plate appearances for the NL East-leading Mets. He sat out last season serving a second suspension for performance-enhancing drugs.
“I missed the game,” he said. “I would say every bad situation you’ve got to take the good things out of it. I had a chance to spend time with my kids, being a dad. My daughter’s only 5. My son is 11. You’ve just got to move on and turn the page.”
Canó spent the last week at his home in the Dominican Republic, working on baseball activities.
“I went down to see live pitching, take ground balls, running and do all kinds of stuff because in New York I wouldn’t do it,” he said. “Me and my dad have our own field in the Dominican.”
Canó indicated that his time with the Mets ended because he wasn’t able to play every day. He won’t get that opportunity with the Padres barring something unforeseen.
“It’s kind of like I don’t want to blame that – not playing every day – but it’s