ATLANTA (AP) - Brian McCann would like to be behind the plate on opening day and beat the projections which have him missing the start of the season.
Even so, the Braves catcher realizes he must be cautious in his return from major surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder.
McCann said Wednesday "things are ramping up" midway through his six-month rehabilitation schedule. He began throwing last week and started running two weeks ago.
After making six straight All-Star teams, McCann struggled last season as he tried to play through the injury. He hit only .230, almost 50 points below his career average.
McCann is expected to miss at least the first two weeks of the season. He says his goal is to convince team doctors in spring training otherwise.
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Chris Johnson homered for the first time in more than a month, Kris Medlen overcame a defensive blunder and the Atlanta Braves bounced back from a doubleheader sweep, beating the New York Mets 5-3 Wednesday night.
Chris Johnson homered for the first time in more than a month, Kris Medlen overcame a defensive blunder and the Atlanta Braves bounced back from a doubleheader sweep, beating the New York Mets 5-3 Wednesday night.
Matt Harvey pitched six hitless innings, John Buck homered and the New York Mets held off another Atlanta comeback, beating the Braves 4-3 Tuesday in the first game of a doubleheader.
Zack Wheeler lived up the hype in his major league debut, pitching six scoreless innings to lead the New York Mets to a 6-1 victory over the first-place Atlanta Braves and a doubleheader sweep on Tuesday.
Matt Harvey pitched six hitless innings, John Buck homered and the New York Mets held off another Atlanta comeback, beating the Braves 4-3 Tuesday in the first game of a doubleheader.
Matt Harvey pitched six hitless innings, John Buck homered and the New York Mets held off another Atlanta comeback, beating the Braves 4-3 Tuesday in the first game of a doubleheader.
Sunday, June 16 2013 11:56 PM EDT2013-06-17 03:56:53 GMT
Freddie Freeman singled three times and drove in one run, Julio Teheran pitched six scoreless innings and the Atlanta Braves beat the San Francisco Giants 3-0 on Sunday night.
Freddie Freeman singled three times and drove in one run, Julio Teheran pitched six scoreless innings and the Atlanta Braves beat the San Francisco Giants 3-0 on Sunday night.
Saturday, June 15 2013 11:03 PM EDT2013-06-16 03:03:51 GMT
Freddie Freeman's bases-loaded, line-drive single off closer Sergio Romo capped a two-run rally in the ninth that lifted the Atlanta Braves to a 6-5 win over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday.
Freddie Freeman's bases-loaded, line-drive single off closer Sergio Romo capped a two-run rally in the ninth that lifted the Atlanta Braves to a 6-5 win over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday.
Madison Bumgarner allowed two hits in seven innings and combined with Sandy Rosario for a three-hit shutout in the San Francisco Giants' 6-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Friday night.
Madison Bumgarner allowed two hits in seven innings and combined with Sandy Rosario for a three-hit shutout in the San Francisco Giants' 6-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Friday night.
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez says "barring any setbacks" Brandon Beachy will make his first start of the season during Tuesday's day-night doubleheader against the Mets.
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez says "barring any setbacks" Brandon Beachy will make his first start of the season during Tuesday's day-night doubleheader against the Mets.
