Cano exits after ball hits wrist; X-rays negative

Cano exits after ball hits wrist; X-rays negative

Controversial call leads to Callaway's third career ejection

April 21st, 2019

ST. LOUIS -- Mets second baseman was involved in a controversial play in the seventh inning of Sunday’s 6-4 loss to the Cardinals at Busch Stadium that resulted in manager Mickey Callaway's third career ejection, as well as Cano leaving the game with a right wrist injury.

A pitch from appeared to strike the knob of Cano’s bat simultaneously with his hand, and though home-plate umpire Bruce Dreckman initially awarded Cano first base, third-base umpire and crew chief Paul Emmel ruled that Cano offered at the pitch.

Emmel, speaking to a pool reporter assigned to the umpires, said, “The home-plate umpire didn’t see the end of the swing, so he called a hit batsman and was giving him first base.

“During the injury, Bruce and I communicated, which we’re supposed to do. Appeal on the check swing, so he went through with his swing.

Callaway, arguing for a hit by pitch, said he was “shocked” by the call. He was ejected by Emmel for arguing balls and strikes. As Emmel explained, “Check swings are pitches. You’re not allowed to argue pitches.”

Cano was replaced at the plate by , who completed the at-bat with a strikeout.

X-rays of Cano’s hand at the ballpark showed no structural damage, though he was in a brace which covered his right hand and wrist in the clubhouse after the game. Cano was struck on the soft spot where his hand meets his wrist, though he said it wasn’t in the same location where he sustained a fracture and had a screw inserted in 2018.

Cano said it was too early to determine whether he would be available for Monday's game against the Phillies, as he would need to see how swelling in the hand responded to rest and the flight back to New York.

“I don’t like to say anything about the umpires, but I think in those situations like that, you got to make sure or find out where the ball hits the hitter,” Cano said. “So if it hits on my bottom hand, I get it, but it was on my right hand which is the [top] hand. And I don’t think you’ll be able to swing if you get hit on that hand.”