Robinson Cano left yesterday’s Yankees win with a bruised left hand. Precautionary X-rays on the Yankees second baseman were negative, and the Bombers’ hottest hitter told a team spokesman he will try to play tonight’s series opener in Detroit.
Cano didn’t speak with the media after yesterday’s 5-2 victory over Toronto, getting treatment on his hand before the team departed for Michigan. Manager Joe Girardi and hitting coach Kevin Long both downplayed the injury, the former terming Cano day-to-day and the latter saying he expected him to play tonight.
“He just bruised a pad in his hand right here,” Girardi said, pointing to his palm. “One of the pickoff throws from Nova was a sinker and it got him. He’s day-to-day and we’ll see how he is [today].”
Cano told the team between his second and third at-bats — in the fourth and sixth innings — about the injury, but stayed in until the eighth inning.
“He talked about it after his third at-bat that it was kind of difficult that at-bat,” said Girardi. “I asked him if he could play defense for a couple of innings. He said no problem; so when it was his turn to hit, that’s when we took him out.”
Girardi lifted him with two out in the eighth inning for pinch-hitter Eric Chavez, who grounded out to the pitcher. Cano had come into the game as one of only two Yankees to have played in every inning this year. Now only Nick Swisher has.
“I’m sure he’ll be fine,” said Long. When asked if he thought Cano might be right back in the lineup tonight, he said, “I would expect that.”
Cano (1-for-3) singled to right in the fourth inning, hitting safely for the 20th of 21 games this season. He’s hitting .320 with 21 RBIs, and came into yesterday tied for fourth in the majors with eight home runs. Cano joined Alex Rodriguez (2002-03) and Vinny Castilla (1997-98) as the only players to have consecutive Aprils with eight homers and 30 hits.
“Robbie’s a talented player,” Long said. “He’s been good for a long time; obviously being third in the (AL) MVP last year that speaks volumes for how far Robinson Cano has come.”
brian.lewis@nypost.com