Yennier Cano has been a pleasant surprise for the Baltimore Orioles this season. The right-hander from Ciego de Avila, Cuba has been practically unhittable as a setup man for Félix Bautista.
In 37 games this season the 29-year-old hurler has a record of 1-1, 1.48 earned run average and has saved four games this season. In 42 ⅔ innings pitched Cano has fanned 38 hitters and is second in the majors with 19 holds.
Cano has come a long way in his career since the first time I saw him face professional competition in the 2016 Caribbean World Series versus the Leones del Escogido. Below is an interview the right gave our sister page Con las Bases Llenas :
Yennier Cano is saving this sign for his house. It doesn’t totally feel real yet. Here’s a guy who left Cuba, went to Argentina, put in the hard work in the minors and now is here, an All-Star https://t.co/pjhMw8Da2W pic.twitter.com/2vZQI7DHf9
— Andy Kostka (@afkostka) July 10, 2023
Tell me a little about the emotion of being in this game where, in addition, there are 11 Cubans, a record for our country.
Super happy, especially when they gave me the news. Very grateful to have so many Cubans here. I haven’t seen many of them for a long time and meeting here is going to be a very nice experience.
You’ve had a dream season with the Baltimore Orioles and you’re one of the reasons this team is so high up the standings. What is the vibe of that team that has surprised everyone?
It is quite a young team with a lot of energy, we are always happy whether we win or lose. We have a great team and we are going to fight to take first place from Tampa. The Rays have hit a rough patch and we have to take advantage of it.
How do you think people in Cuba will receive this? You know how difficult it is for Cubans, it is difficult to see an all-star game.
It will be difficult for many to see it, for my family too, they wanted to see me play and they are looking for a way, but I still don’t know if they have found it. But I tell everyone to keep looking for a way to see it so they can see the Cubans so they can support us from there.