There will be a flurry of transactions as active rosters reduce from 28 to 26 players today. Among them, the New York Mets announced that 39-year-old second baseman Robinson Canó is one of their two demotions. With Canó being designated for assignment, the Mets are on the hook for his entire remaining salary. He is due just over $20 million in each of 2022 and 2023.
The Mets traded a five-player package headlined by then-top prospect Jarred Kelenic for Canó and closer Edwin Díaz at the end of 2018. Canó, who has played only 168 games for the Mets, spent a chunk of time on the injured list and missed the entire 2021 season after his second suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s performance-enhancing drugs policy.
Canó was off to a dismal start in 2022, slashing .195/.233/.268 with a 53 wRC+ in 12 games. The move to DFA the veteran will open up the utility infield role and designated hitter’s spot for J.D. Davis (136 wRC+), Luis Guillorme (121 wRC+), and Dominic Smith (106 wRC+).
RHP Yoan López has been optioned to Triple-A following last night’s game and today infielder Robinson Canó has been designated for assignment, bringing the roster to 26 players.
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 2, 2022
Along with Canó, the Mets announced they optioned Yoan López to Triple-A in order to reduce their roster to the necessary 26 players.
(Photo by Douglas Jones/Icon Sportswire)