Robinson Canó’s roster replacement revealed

Padres cut ties with Robinson Canó, call up Nomar Mazara

Robinson Canó, we hardly knew ye.

The once-powerful hitter is no longer with the San Diego Padres; his stint lasted less than a month.

After being released by the New York Mets on May 8, the Padres signed Canó to a major-league contract on May 13. They were hoping that he’d hit better in San Diego than he had in Queens, but his numbers got considerably worse.

Over 12 games with the Mets, the five-time Silver Slugger hit .195/.233/.268 with a .501 OPS, eight hits, one home run, and three RBI.

Over 12 games with the Padres, those numbers more than halved. He only managed a .091/.118/.091 line, .209 OPS, three hits, and a lone RBI.

While the Padres were hoping that Canó would be a mentor to Fernando Tatis Jr., they couldn’t excuse these numbers and continue carrying him on the roster. In his place, they’re calling up right-fielder Nomar Mazara, who’s been slugging at Triple-A El Paso.

Mazara has spent parts of six seasons in the Majors, dating back to four years with the Texas Rangers from 2016-19. He finished sixth in AL Rookie of the Year voting in his first season, hitting 20 home runs in 145 games.

The Padres are desperate to add power to their lineup. Fernando Tatis Jr.’s return date remains unclear, Canó didn’t pan out, and Manny Machado cannot carry the entire offense on his own. Over the first four years of his big-league career, Mazara averaged 24 home runs per 162 games. His 2020 and 2021 seasons, with the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers, were considerably weaker, but beggars can’t be choosers.