A former All-Star is joining the Atlanta Braves to fill in behind home plate.
The Braves are signing catcher James McCann to a minor league contract, according to multiple outlets on Monday. McCann didn’t go to any other team’s spring training.
The 34-year-old is anticipated to start with the Braves’ Triple-A club in order to get into game shape with less than two weeks until Atlanta’s season opening.
Shortly after the season begins, McCann might realistically move from the minor leagues to the Braves’ starting lineup. Sean Murphy, Atlanta’s anticipated starting catcher, may be out for up to six weeks due to a broken rib sustained during spring training.
In free agency, the Braves also lost veteran catcher Travis d’Arnaud to the Los Angeles Angels. At catcher for Atlanta last season, d’Arnaud started the most games (89). Murphy, who started 69 games at catcher during a poor season for him at the plate, shared time with him.
Murphy hit just.193 in 2024 with 10 home runs, 25 RBIs, and an OPS of.636 after an All-Star campaign in 2023.
Last season, McCann, a former All-Star himself, led the Baltimore Orioles with 31 RBIs, 8 home runs, and a batting average of.234. He was Adley Rutschman’s backup and started 65 games.
