Robinson Cano’s toe broken by pitch in MLB-Japan game in Tokyo

Robinson Cano, the Seattle Mariners’ All-Star second baseman, will miss the next three to four weeks after breaking the small toe on his right foot when he was hit by a pitch Saturday during an exhibition game in Tokyo.

Cano was struck by a pitch thrown by Japan reliever Yuki Nishi in the seventh inning and left the game to get X-rays. The Major League Baseball All-Stars were no-hit in a 4-0 loss, their third consecutive to open the five-game series.

Mariners officials reported that Cano had a nondisplaced fracture of the small toe, which will not require surgery or a cast and will heal with rest.

“It’s part of the game, getting hurt,” Cano told reporters before leaving the Tokyo Dome. “I’ll be fine.”

Cano, a 10-year veteran and five-time All-Star, just finished his first season with the Mariners after signing a 10-year, $240-million contract. He’s expected to be fully recovered in time for spring training. Cano played in 157 games and batted .314 with 14 home runs and 82 runs batted in for Seattle.

Takahiro Norimoto pitched five perfect innings and combined with three relief pitchers for the no-hitter Saturday. Nishi struck out four and walked one in the sixth and seventh innings for Japan, while Kazuhisa Makita struck out two in the eighth and Yuji Nishino struck out one when he retired the side in order in the ninth.

Japan’s Hayato Sakamoto and Sho Nakata each hit a two-run home run off MLB starter Jeremy Guthrie of the Kansas City Royals.