Five weeks into the season, the Braves are welcoming back their six-time former All-Star catcher.
Brian McCann, who’s been on the disabled list since opening day recovering from October shoulder surgery, played his final rehab game for Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday, then caught the Braves’ charter flight to Cincinnati for the start of a 10-game, three-city trip.
“That’s huge,” Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman said Sunday. “That’s a perennial All-Star coming back to your lineup; it’s like we traded for an All-Star. So it’s going to be fun. And once we get J-Hey (Jason Heyward) back, we’ll be full-strength. So it’s like we just made a huge trade.”
Heyward is on the DL recovering from an April 22 appendectomy.
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said McCann would be activated and would play Monday. Infielder Tyler Pastornicky was optioned to Gwinnett to open a roster spot.
McCann went 0-for-1 with a walk in two plate appearances for Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday, to finish 8-for-23 with a double, four home runs and nine RBIs in seven rehab games for Gwinnett and Class-A Rome.
The 29-year-old catcher is in the final year of his contract, and can be a free agent at the end of the season.
“We’ve missed him,” Braves second baseman Dan Uggla said. “I’ve been trying to tell him that the whole time he’s been gone, too. Because when you’re doing things (rehab) he’s been doing down in Orlando and rehabbing and stuff, you feel kind of left out. But he’s been missed. We’ve missed the crap out of him – in the clubhouse, in the dugout, on the field. And I think he knows that.
“He’s ready to be back. And obviously, we can’t wait.”
For now, the Braves will have three catchers on the roster, with McCann joining Evan Gattis and Gerald Laird. Gattis can also play left field and first base, the rookie can provide big right-handed power as a pinch-hitter.
“We’re glad to see him,” Braves pitcher Tim Hudson said after earning his 201st career win Sunday. “I know he’s been working hard, trying to get back healthy. I know he’s excited to get back in this locker room and put on a big-league uniform and help us win some ballgames.”
