Mariners will play Dee Gordon at 2B in wake of Cano's lengthy suspension

After stating Dee Gordon would not return to his natural position at second base following Robinson Cano's hand injury, the Seattle Mariners' plans have changed due to Cano's 80-game suspension.

General manager Jerry Dipoto said Gordon would get some reps at second base, but would give the two-time All-Star time to readjust, according to Greg Johns of MLB.com.

That being said, Seattle will also look outside the organization to acquire help at the position.

Gordon, 30, was acquired from the Miami Marlins during the offseason in a somewhat surprising move considering Seattle already employed Cano. However, the Mariners were quick to announce their intentions to convert Gordon into a center fielder - a position the speedster had never played at the major-league level prior to 2018. Gordon, a typically average infielder, has cost the Mariners more than one run while playing center field.

With Cano's injury Monday, the Mariners selected the contract of Gordon Beckham from the minors. He went 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts against the Minnesota Twins.

Cano won't be eligible to return until mid-August, and will not be able to play in the postseason if the Mariners make it.

While Seattle possesses more outfield depth than infield depth, the roster does not have a center fielder to easily fill in behind Gordon. Guillermo Heredia seems to be the most likely internal fill-in after playing 123 games in center last season. However, the 27-year-old cost the team four runs defensively at the position a year ago, according to FanGraphs.