ATLANTA (AP) — Robinson Canó remains confident in his skills as he has been given an opportunity to revive his career at 39 while starting — at least on a fill-in basis — for the defending World Series champion Atlanta Braves.
Canó carries a .301 career batting average with more than 2,600 hits, but he struggled in short stints with the New York Mets and San Diego Padres this season.
The Braves, in need of a left-handed hitter who can help at second base, obtained Canó for $1 in a minor league deal with the Padres on Sunday.
Canó instantly joined Atlanta’s starting lineup, playing second base and batting ninth as the Braves opened a series Monday night against his former team, the NL East-leading New York Mets.
“I know what work I’ve put in the offseason and I’ve always believed in myself and the stuff that I do to prepare myself,” Canó said following batting practice on Monday. “I feel that I can still play this game.”
The Braves trailed the Mets by 1 1/2 games going into the three-game set at Truist Park.
Canó gives the Braves another option at second base after Ozzie Albies went down with a broken foot.
With the Mets in town, Canó attracted a large crowd of reporters with no shortage of questions about his past and future.
Asked if he felt he received a fair shot with the Mets, Canó said “I don’t want to go back to the past. … There’s no hard feelings. I’ve got friends on the other side and I always wish them the best.”
Canó hit .256 with New York in 2019 and .316 in only 49 games in 2020.
Canó hit a combined .149 with one homer and four RBIs in 74 at-bats for the Padres and Mets this season. He batted .333 with three homers and 20 RBIs in 96 at-bats for Triple-A El Paso after the Padres released him and…
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