Via Twitter: Mark Feinsand (BloggingBombers):
“Source tells Daily News that Robinson Cano has pulled out of Home Run Derby due to minor back injury”
I wonder what this means. Is this Kevin Long’s way of getting him out of the derby? I don’t know. There’s been some uproar about how the derby could change his swing, so it’ll be interesting to see how this story unfolds.
Update: 5:05PM ET: Cashman confirms the report. “The minor back injury has not been previously reported, though the Daily News’ report indicates that he’s been receive treatment for two or three days.”
Update: 6:45PM ET: Cano still in the HR Derby? “Robinson Cano said no one has told him that he’s pulling out of the Home Run Derby. As far as he knows he’s still going. His back has been stiff, but not bad. He was told today he’s just getting a regular day off.”
Update: 6:50PM ET: Marc Carig of The Star-Ledger says: “Just texted Cashman; says Cano is out.” & “Girardi says Cano is out.”
M. B. Rozell
Kevin Rozell
Well, this changes things…
I know I’m probably going to get hammered because of my opinion but I find it so coincidental that after Kevin Long expresses serious concern about Cano’s future swings after the derby and Gene Monahan’s talk with Girardi that Cano decides to back out of the HR Derby. Or as in his case “no one told me I was backing out”. He’s been playing with this minor back injury for days now and if he doesn’t want to chance tweaking something or possibly pulling a disc then that’s fine but the timing of it all has me scratching my head. We shall play it by ear and day by day.
It’s all because of management. He wasn’t asked what he wanted…he was told by Cashman.
Zell
Management has been sticking their nose in matters that don’t need any intervention for a long time now. Yankee management need to go back to Basic Managing 101 because they’re slacking.
Personally I’m relieved. That HR Derby is a joke, it’s long lost it’s ability to charm, it’s downright boring now that 99% of the homeruns are wall scrapers and not the monster shots that steroids and juiced balls used to produce, and it’s long been proven to mess up a batter’s swing.
Plus, if I hear Chris Berman say “Back back back back back….GONE!!!!” one more time, there’s going to be one less Berman in the world.