SARASOTA, Fla. — The Yankees got a brief scare in the top of the sixth last night when Robinson Cano was drilled by a Troy Patton pitch in his left hand as he swung at a third strike during a 6-3 loss to the Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium.
Cano was immediately removed from the game, but X-rays were negative and manager Joe Girardi said the second baseman would be fine.
“You always worry about a guy getting hit,” Girardi said. “He’s just sore.”
The second baseman has been durable, having played in at least 159 games in each of the last five seasons.
Although they have dealt with nagging injuries, the Yankees have so far avoided major health woes this spring.
* David Robertson threw his first bullpen session yesterday after suffering a bone bruise to his right foot March 7 and still believes he will be available on Opening Day.
“I felt good,” said the righty, who initially feared he had broken his foot after falling down stairs while moving a box. “I was a little erratic off the mound, so that’s something else I’ve gotta clean up.”
Although Robertson didn’t anticipate any lingering problems following the 25-pitch session, Girardi was more cautious.
“I’m curious to see how he feels [tomorrow],” Girardi said. “[This] was different than running, different than playing catch. But it is good he’s making the right steps.”
Robertson will likely throw another bullpen session before the Yankees make any other determinations.
“Two or three more appearances should get me ready,” Robertson said. “It’s a huge relief.”
* Ivan Nova’s slow start continued last night, as he gave up a pair of homers in the first inning. But the righty wasn’t discouraged.
He blamed Adam Jones’ three-run shot on miscommunication with catcher Gustavo Molina and said he was still rattled when Matt Wieters hit one later.
“Sometimes you have days when you’re not on the same page with the catcher,” said Nova, who gave up five runs and seven hits in four innings. “I was throwing so good after that inning.”
Girardi said he liked what he saw from Nova in his last two innings.
* Raul Ibanez went 0-for-3 and is just 2-for-31 (.065) this spring.
“I hit some balls in the air, which is a good sign,” Ibanez said.
“I’ll probably have some conversations with him if it continues and tell him to relax,” Girardi said. “Sometimes you worry about guys trying to impress their new club too much.”
The manager said the Yankees’ “plan is for [Ibanez] to be our DH” against righties.
* Top prospect Mason Williams made the trip to Sarasota.
The Player of the Year in the New York-Penn League last season is one of the organization’s top prospects. The 20-year-old outfielder hit .349 for the 2011 Staten Island Yankees. Last night, he pinch ran and was caught stealing but later singled to left.
“I want to see him play,” Girardi said. “Off of what he did last year, throw him a bone little bit.”
Williams is still years away from The Bronx, but meeting Girardi gave him more motivation to get there.
“Now it’s starting to set in that this is going to become a reality,” Williams said.