Yankees 2B Cano sits again

Aug 3, 2008 - 4:05 PM BRONX, New York (Ticker) -- New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano was scratched from the starting lineup for the second straight day Sunday with a sore left hand and remains day-to-day.

Cano, who has slumped offensively over his last six games, suffered the injury last Sunday night while swinging at a pitch from Boston's Jon Lester. He tried to play through the injury, but was seen with his hand heavily taped in the Yankees' locker room prior to Saturday's contest against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Wilson Betemit replaced Cano, a career .303 hitter, at second base for the second straight day. Betemit contributed to Saturday's 8-2 win with two hits, including a two-run home run.

After batting just .217 over his first 67 games this season, Cano showed marked improvement at the plate, raising his average to .270 entering last Sunday's series finale at Fenway Park.

But the 25-year-old Cano went just 3-for-26 over his last six games, prompting Girardi to replace him with Betemit on Saturday.

A former All-Star, Cano has appeared in 107 games this season, batting .260 with nine homers and 50 RBI.