Orioles' James McCann: Status for Opening Day in question
Rotowire
McCann (oblique) said his hitting session Sunday merely went "OK," and he remains uncertain whether he'll be available for Thursday's season opener in Boston, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
McCann hit off a tee in the batting cage in an attempt to gauge how much he had progressed in his recovery from left oblique discomfort, an issue that cropped up a few days earlier. While McCann didn't suggest that he experienced any sort of setback, he didn't come away encouraged that he took any major steps forward either as he aims to put the injury in the rear-view mirror. The Orioles will likely wait and see how McCann feels over the next couple of days before deciding if he's fit to serve in a backup role behind No. 1 backstop Adley Rutschman on Opening Day. If McCann requires a stint on the injured list, however, the Orioles could add Anthony Bemboom to the 26-man roster to work as Rutschman's understudy.
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Orioles' James McCann: Uncertain for Monday
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McCann (side) is going through hitting progressions before Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, but he is unsure if he'll play in Monday's spring finale versus the Cardinals, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
McCann has been battling soreness in his side and been held out of the lineup for the past few days. The backup backstop being able to participate in hitting drills is a positive step forward, but it's possible that McCann will need to open the 2023 campaign on the injured list.
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Orioles' James McCann: Experiencing soreness in side
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Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Saturday that McCann has been out of the lineup lately as a precaution while the catcher manages left side soreness, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
McCann is expected to serve as the backup to Adley Rutschman in 2023, and while he hasn't been able to play as of late because of the side issue, it sounds like this isn't a serious injury. McCann should be a full-go for the start of the 2023 campaign.
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Orioles' James McCann: Settling in with new team
Rotowire
McCann has gone just 4-for-24 through eight Grapefruit League games.
McCann has two doubles, one RBI and a run in spring games so far. Despite the lackluster batting, the veteran catcher is a lock for the Orioles' Opening Day roster as Adley Rutschman's backup, though the veteran could also see some action at first base. McCann may struggle to match the 61 games he played last year, which also saw him post a career-worst .195/.257/.282 slash line, but his veteran presence should be a stabilizing force in the clubhouse for a team that's ready to introduce a large number of prospects to the majors.
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Orioles' James McCann: Could see time at first base, DH
Rotowire
McCann was told by the Orioles at the time he was acquired that he and Adley Rutschman could both see time at first base and designated hitter, in addition to catcher, this season.
McCann put up a .610 OPS over the last two seasons for the Mets, so it's difficult to believe the Orioles will actually attempt to squeeze him into the lineup very much on days he's not catching. Rutschman did see ample time in the DH spot last year, though, so if this is a route to save his legs then it's good news for his fantasy value. Even with a decent amount of playing time, McCann is unlikely to be relevant outside of deep, two-catcher leagues and single-league formats.
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Orioles' James McCann: Headed to Baltimore
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McCann has been traded from the Mets to the Orioles along with cash considerations in exchange for a player to be named later, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
The Mets have been shopping McCann around all offseason and have found a taker in the Orioles. New York will cover $19 million of the $24.3 million still owed to the catcher over the next two seasons, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. McCann will back up Adley Rutschman in Baltimore, so playing time figures to be sparse. The Mets still have Omar Narvaez, Tomas Nido and Francisco Alvarez as catching options.
McCann went 3-for-4 with three-run home run in Wednesday's win over the Nationals.
McCann singled in his first at-bat before coming back with a three-run homer to left in the bottom of the third to run the score up to 9-0. He later added another single in the eighth, giving him just his second three-hit game of the season. It was also his first home run since July 7, as he finished the year with a career-worst .539 OPS and only three long balls in 61 games.
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Mets' James McCann: Remains out of lineup
Rotowire
McCann isn't starting Monday against the Brewers.
McCann has split playing time behind the dish recently and will head to the bench for a second consecutive game. Tomas Nido is starting behind the plate and batting ninth.
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Mets' James McCann: Sitting Sunday
Rotowire
McCann is out of the lineup for Sunday's game versus the Pirates, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
McCann and Tomas Nido have alternated starts behind the plate over the past five contests, and that trend will continue after McCann started Saturday and went 0-for-4 with a strikeout. Nido will bat ninth in the series finale against Pittsburgh.
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Mets' James McCann: Not in Friday's lineup
Rotowire
McCann will sit Friday against the Pirates.
McCann remains atop the Mets' depth chart at catcher, but he and Friday's starter Tomas Nido have generally alternated turns behind the plate in recent weeks. McCann's .549 OPS on the season gives him minimal fantasy value even if he found himself in the lineup more consistently.
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Mets' James McCann: Takes seat Wednesday
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McCann isn't starting Wednesday against the Cubs.
McCann started the last two games and went 1-for-7 with an RBI. He'll get a breather while Tomas Nido starts behind the plate and bats ninth.
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Mets' James McCann: Sitting Friday
Rotowire
McCann is not in Friday's lineup against the Marlins.
McCann has a .522 OPS in 2022, the worst performance of his career. Tomas Nido will start at catcher in his place Friday and bat ninth.
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Mets' James McCann: Sitting Game 1 on Wednesday
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McCann is not in the starting lineup for Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Pirates.
McCann will get a breather in Game 1 on Wednesday after he went 2-for-3 with a walk and run scored in Tuesday's loss. Tomas Nido will take over behind the plate and bat ninth versus Pittsburgh.
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Mets' James McCann: Idle for day game
Rotowire
McCann is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.
After going 0-for-1 with a walk and a stolen base while catching eight innings in Saturday's 7-1 loss, McCann will get a breather for Sunday's series finale. Tomas Nido replaces McCann behind the dish.
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Mets' James McCann: Notches steal in loss
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McCann went 0-for-1 with a walk and a stolen base in Saturday's 7-1 loss to the Nationals.
McCann tried to spark the Mets' offense in the fifth inning, but Brandon Nimmo couldn't bring him home after the catcher's two-out steal. This was McCann's third steal of the season, putting him one back of his career high from 2019. He's added a paltry .188/.243/.273 slash line, two home runs, 13 RBI, 12 runs scored and five doubles in 46 contests this season. The 32-year-old has just one multi-hit effort in 16 games since returning from an oblique injury Aug. 4.
