McCann back after missing three more starts for shoulder
Brian McCann returned to the Braves lineup Wednesday for the first time since getting a cortisone shot in his injured right shoulder after Saturday’s game. It was his second shot he’s had in the past month.
McCann is playing with a frayed labrum and cyst in his shoulder and plans to get through the season before having it evaluated to determine if it can be rehabbed through rest and strengthening, or if surgery might be needed.
David Ross caught games Sunday through Tuesday, the first time since May that McCann was out of the lineup for more than two consecutive games, although he’s missed more starts than ever at this point in a season.
“Hopefully get him going with the bat and get his shoulder calmed down as much as we can to get him through the season,” Gonzalez said. “I think before we were going [with a day off] almost every five days. I think we may do it a little different, maybe give him two [starts], then if there’s a lefty matchup, like Friday, give him that off.
“Play two [and rest] and then we hopefully get him over the hump. He feels great. He feels like that shot has really helped him.”
Before Wednesday, McCann was 13-for-76 (.171) with no extra-base hits and two RBIs in 22 games since the beginning of August, after hitting a career-best nine homers in July. Gonzalez said he’s seen encouraging signs in his recent at-bats.
“I think Mac’s close, I really do,” Gonzalez said. “I told him the other day, I think you’re closer than you do. I’ve seen him hit some balls to left field on the nose. I’ve seen him get some good at-bats.”
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11 comments Add your comment
Jeebus Crust
September 5th, 2012
8:28 pm
They shoot horses don’t they? I’m just sayin’
JRW7
September 5th, 2012
9:13 pm
Braves are old news, it’s time for college football now!!!! GO DAWGS!’
RBI
September 5th, 2012
9:32 pm
The manager is an idiot.
SOS Braves
September 6th, 2012
5:17 am
Keep him on the bench for now. He is a bigger rally killer than uggla.
Chas
September 6th, 2012
8:26 am
Fredi thinks everybody is “close”…He’s had Worthless Dan Uggla, “breaking out of it” for over 3 months. We’ve seen where tha went. Fredi is the dumbest manager in MLB. He proves it everytime he opens his mouth, or makes a baseball decision.
Eddie Haas
September 6th, 2012
9:25 am
McCann needs to be put out to pasture until next spring. He’s hurting the team- just like last year trying to play hurt. Ross can handle it, and Boscan can play when needed. Even he is better than McCann right now. FG-please keep Uggla on the bench EVERY GAME!!
chc4
September 6th, 2012
11:19 am
McCann is “close”… but to what? Maybe the end of his run as a Brave.
Atlanta Braves Links of the Day For September 6, 2012 | Atlanta Braves Dugout Online | Atlanta Braves Blog
September 6th, 2012
11:42 am
[...] McCann back after missing three more starts for shoulder [...]
joe
September 6th, 2012
11:57 am
close to what? Is fredi a idiot? I’ve always liked Mac but his better days are over. Please don’t waste another big contract on can’t run, can’t throw, can’t hit MaCann.
knockahomerx
September 7th, 2012
7:24 pm
GM Wrenn, Com’on Frank spend Braves money as wisely as possible. Trade Uggla and McCann this off season. Uggla has been more in a slump than hot. Dan just ain’t worth the contract. Dump him. l prefer players who simply earn their check. B. Mc going to eighth season, catching is wearing him down, l guess. Last Sept. he admitted he was one reason we missed playoffs. Brian has eyesight problems. Oblique pulls. l expect more DL time in future, not all star we are used to competing. Sorry, l watch every game, l am not a fan l am a fanatic. l love these fine men but l am realistic. Make the trades, fill some holes. Hire Juan Francisco a highly thought of trainer and pay Juan workout bonuses. Let get Juan leaner, meaner, lighter, quicker, stronger, and just more athletic. Freddie Freeman is my man, he is untouchable. 1B covered. J. Heyward CF, Prado @ 2B, Juan Francisco 3B fulltime or parttime, Andrelton Simmons SS, pretty darn good infield. l think Paul Janesh, David Ross, Rev Pastornicky, Reed Johnson are strong bench. Bullpen is solid and strong. Starters Hudson, Maholm, Medlen, Minor, Ben Sheets, RHP we thankfully did not trade to Cubs, and Julio Teheran. Teheran needs his shot next year. Hire Julio a trainer also. Get him stronger. So the club needs 4 great 300+ avg hitters, guys who make contact. A LF, RF, C, Bench guy maybe Lyle Overbay. Oh Yeah, trade Tommy Hanson, l just dont feel good about his future. Hope l am wrong, but Big Red needs to become a stud or get off the bus. Get’r done Frank.
knockahomerx
September 7th, 2012
7:31 pm
l want a dominant Braves team like Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, Chipper teams. We are so, so close. Make a few moves and we are there. Sorry about Michael Bourne too. He has been great this season. His future is bright. l just would not pay him what Boras will end up getting him in a contract. Sorry l rather invest in developing our minor league system and creating ballplayers to replace players that leave for money.