"Robinson Cano apologized for his first error of the season yesterday then went about taking the first steps toward repeating his breakout year. The second baseman reported to camp a day late — he mixed up his days — but participated in the Yankees' first full-squad workouts.

"I don't like to be late," Cano said. "You guys know I'm always on time. I messed up."

Cano will have plenty of time to make up for his inauspicious beginning.

The 28-year-old hit .319 with 29 homers and ranked as the most productive second baseman in baseball. Cano capped it off by winning the first Gold Glove award of his career.

"Well, he can hit, he can play defense, he can throw," said Yankees captain Derek Jeter, who praised Cano's approach to the game as much as his talent. "You look at Robbie and he's always smiling. He's got a smile on his face whether he's in the clubhouse or in the field. He gets a hit or he hits a home run and he looks like he's never done it before."

Cano stopped short of calling himself the best at his position in the game, though last season at the very least, put him in the discussion.

"If anything, it makes me want to work even harder because you want to stay at that level," he said. "You don't want to go back down again."

Meanwhile, Cano said he will not ask the Yankees for an extension before his current deal runs out.

"I would never do that," Cano said."