All initial signs point to Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano being at 100 percent for spring training after undergoing surgery Tuesday in Philadelphia to repair a sports hernia.
The typical recovery period for such procedures is six weeks, which roughly corresponds to the time that Cano would take prior to starting his off-season conditioning program.
“Everything is going to be normal,” he said recently. “I’m going to start at the same time. I’ve just got to be careful after the surgery. I’m not supposed to lift anything heavy. Just be careful.”
Cano, who turns 33 this month, suffered what was initially believed to be an abdominal strain on July 28. He missed three games before returning to the lineup.
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A late September examination revealed a core-muscle injury on his right side — what is commonly known as a sports hernia. Arrangements were made at that point for Dr. William Meyers, a specialist, to perform surgery.
A presurgery exam by Meyers found that Cano had a second core-muscle injury on his left side.
Cano played 58 games after the initial injury and batted .328 with 10 home runs and 37 RBIs. He finished the season with a 16-game hitting streak, which helped boost his final average to .287.
Continuing to play with the injury did not make it worse, according to Dr. Edward Khalfayan, the Mariners’ medical director.
“He’s been managing it very well,” Khalfayan said Oct. 2 in a news briefing to announce plans for Cano to undergo surgery. “It is painful at times, but he’s able to perform and it’s not doing any more damage by continuing to play.”
bob.dutton@thenewstribune.com
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