Robinson Cano is making the most of his time away from the Seattle Mariners.
Fancred’s Jon Heyman reported on Wednesday that the suspended slugger is working out in his native Dominican Republic at both first and third base.
Cano, who has been serving an 80-game PED ban, will be eligible to return to the Mariners lineup in mid-August. He is primarily a second baseman and has never made a start at another field position in his MLB career.
As for Seattle, they have been mounting a legitimate playoff push in Cano’s absence, neck-and-neck with the Oakland Athletics for the second AL Wild Card spot at 63-45. Dee Gordon has shifted from the outfield to second base with Cano suspended, and that has created playing time for Denard Span, who is batting .301 with an .811 OPS since being acquired the Mariners in May.
Cano had previously hinted at an openness to play new positions upon his return, and that added flexibility could help Seattle keep Span’s bat and glove in the lineup. While Cano himself will not be eligible for postseason play by rule due to his failed PED test, it sounds like he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that the Mariners can get there in the first place.
