Mets have no immediate plans to release suspended Cano

Robinson Cano's place in Flushing appears to be secure for the moment.

New York Mets president Sandy Alderson revealed Monday that the team has no immediate plans to release the star second baseman following his 162-game suspension for using a performance-enhancing drug.

"That's not something that I think we would entertain at this point, where we're just dealing with the initial impact of this on our roster (and) on our offseason planning," Alderson told reporters, according to SNY. "So, if we take that decision, it's something that we'll entertain further down the road. I think that from our standpoint, it's about dealing with the consequences at this point, not the suspension itself."

While Cano will forfeit his entire $24-million salary in 2021, he remains under contract for another two years and $48 million. He'll still be owed that money even if he's released at a later date.

Major League Baseball handed Cano the season-long ban following his positive test for the steroid stanozolol. It's the second time he's been caught using PEDs following his 80-game suspension while with the Seattle Mariners in 2018. A third positive test would land the 38-year-old on MLB's permanently ineligible list.

New Mets owner Steve Cohen has already stated that he wants to spend the money saved from Cano's suspension on other players.