Braves place McCann on 15-day disabled list

Cincinnati — The Braves will have to make do without All-Star catcher Brian McCann for at least the next two weeks.

McCann was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday due to continued blurry vision and dryness in his left eye. The move was anticipated after McCann was scratched from the lineup Friday following batting practice.

“I hate to go on the DL, it’s the last thing I want to do,” he said after the move was announced Saturday. “But I feel like it’s what’s going to get me back to seeing the baseball and back to competing at this level.”

The 2008 Silver Slugger award winner as the National League’s best-hitting catcher, McCann is batting just .195 with two homers and seven RBIs in 13 games this season, including 2-for-26 with one RBI in his past nine games.

“Mac’s a big cog for us,” left fielder Matt Diaz said. “But we need him for the long haul, not three games here and there. Hopefully he can get his eye right.”

On Saturday, the ailment was termed an infection. That was primarily because “infection” seemed the most applicable diagnosis the team medical staff could make among the limited number of terms used for DL assignments.

In truth, no one seems certain what’s causing the problem. Recent tests showed his left-eye vision isn’t as good as it was after McCann had Lasik surgery on both eyes 1-1/2 years ago.

But it’s questionable whether that alone could cause all the symptoms he’s had.

McCann has a Monday appointment with Dr. Alan Kozarsky, an Atlanta opthalmologist. McCann expects a specific diagnosis and treatment at that time, including possible laser surgery, which he believes might be the best course of action.

Manager Bobby Cox hoped to avoid putting McCann on the DL, but said it was unrealistic to expect his condition to clear up in a few days. Two specialists this month couldn’t solve the issue with eye drops, ointments or contact lenses.

“It’s going to take at least 10 days,” Cox said. “I don’t know [what the problem is]. But I think it’s going to be fine. He’ll see Dr. Kozarsky Monday morning, and they’ll go from there.”

The Braves recalled Clint Sammons from Class AAA Gwinnett to serve as backup to veteran catcher David Ross while McCann is out. Cox said Ross would get the bulk of the playing time.

Teammates said it would require a group effort to compensate.

“We’re just going to have to pitch well and have timely hitting, that’s all you can do,” right fielder Jeff Francoeur said.

“We just all have to go out and do what we’re supposed to do,” hitting coach Terry Pendleton said. “Whether it’s bunting, getting a guy over, getting that two-out knock. We have to do those things, with or without Mac.

“I think it’s easier with him. Not to take anything away from David Ross, but [McCann is] a Silver Slugger catcher.”

Diaz said, “The thing about this year, it’s a fun feeling knowing that even if we lose a key cog like Mac, our pitching is going to keep us in ballgames.”