Robinson Cano walks back to the dugout after being removed for a pinch runner in the first inning after he was hit by a pitch. (Photo: Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
It was fitting, in a macabre sort of way, that a New York Yankees player would be injured in the top of the first inning of the All-Star Game of Tuesday night's All-Star Game at Citi Field.
Second baseman Robinson Cano was forced to leave the game after being hit in the right knee by a pitch from the New York Mets' Matt Harvey. Cano went to first base but then left after the following batter, Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers, struck out. Boston Red Sox's Dustin Pedroia pinch-ran for Cano stayed in to play in the field.
"I definitely feel terrible about it," Harvey said on the Fox broadcast.
Conspiracy theorists are already barking. Harvey is a Scott Boras client while Cano left Boras for Jay-Z's Roc Nation agency earlier this season. Cano is the top free agent this offseason and is expected to get a huge contract.
The Yankees have been beset with injuries.
Third baseman Alex Rodriguez has yet to play in a major-league game this season after undergoing hip surgery in January, though he is currently playing rehab games in the minor leagues. Shortstop Derek Jeter broke his left ankle in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, re-broke it while rehabbing during spring training then suffered a strained quadriceps in his season debut last Thursday and missed the final three games of the first half. First baseman Mark Teixeira played in just 15 games before undergoing season-ending wrist surgery. Left fielder Curtis Granderson has been limited to eight games because of breaking bones in both arms in two separate injuries. Third baseman Kevin Youkilis appeared in 28 games before having season-ending back surgery. Catcher Francisco Cervelli has played in 17 games because of a broken hand.
Perhaps Yankees closer Mariano Rivera might want to think twice before taking the mound later in tonight's game.
GALLERY: ALL-STAR GAME STARTERS
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