McCann likely to rest weekend series

The Braves think they caught Brian McCann’s right groin strain before it got to the point of being serious Thursday night, but they’re going to play it safe with him the rest of the weekend against the Phillies.

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said he might pinch hit McCann Sunday, if he’s feeling good, but otherwise plans to rest him the weekend series.

“I don’t know if we can get him in a game before Thursday, but that’s OK,” Gonzalez said, referring to Game 1 of the division series. “I don’t think he’s going to forget how to hit or catch in seven days. And that’s a nice thing to have; we can get seven days of treatment and seven days of settling down.”

Gonzalez said McCann came in Friday feeling better, which was an encouraging sign. McCann tweaked his right adductor muscle while warming starter David Hale up in the bullpen before Thursday’s game. McCann left after catching two innings and striking out in his first at-bat.

“Mac being heads up and communicating to us that this happened and taking him out of the game, we feel like we dodged a bullet,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said he plans to catch McCann throughout the division series if his groin doesn’t prove to be an issue.