Braves catcher Brian McCann is expected to begin participating in extended spring training Wednesday at the club's facility in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
McCann, out since Oct. 16 surgery on his right shoulder, opened the season on the 15-day disabled list. Under Major League rules, once McCann begins a minor-league rehabilitation assignment he will have a maximum of 20 days to get ready to join the active roster.
“Before we start the clock on 'Mac,' we want to make sure he can catch a little bit,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “With extended spring, the clock does not start. As soon as he can catch a couple games there we will send him out to a rehab assignment somewhere.”
McCann experienced shoulder pain on some swings for much of last season. He eventually had surgery to repair a torn labrum in the back of his throwing shoulder and also secure ligaments back to the socket to stabilize the joint.
A five-time Silver Slugger Award winner, McCann had career-lows in most categories in 2012, including a .230 average with 67 RBIs, a .300 OBP and .399 slugging percentage.
