It hasn’t been easy for Brian McCann to sit out as the Braves continue to compete.
But the veteran catcher, who was placed on the 10-day injured list Aug. 21 after a left knee sprain, won't have to worry about that anymore, as he was in the lineup and catching as Atlanta went for the sweep against the White Sox Sunday at SunTrust Park.
McCann went on to have a rough day at the plate in the Braves' 5-3 win, going 0-for-3. He had a key defensive play when the White Sox were gaining ground in the seventh inning, connecting with Josh Donaldson to catch Tim Anderson attempting to steal third to end the inning.
“It’s been tough to watch when I know they’re on a tough road trip and I’m sitting at home and it was kind of tough not being there,” McCann said. “But (it’s good) getting back now, being healthy for this last stretch.”
Atlanta fared well in McCann’s absence, going 8-2 over that span. The Braves have two additional veteran catchers to work with in Tyler Flowers and Francisco Cervelli.
“We’ve got three legit guys now, with the catching, and that just allows one of the guys that’s not catching to pinch-hit, which is good, too,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “But I’m sure (McCann’s) excited about being back.”
As September begins and MLB rosters expand, the Braves also recalled infielder Johan Camargo, and right handers Chad Sobotka and Jeremy Walker from Triple-A Gwinnett.
Camargo, who was optioned to Gwinnett Aug. 16, took advantage of his time there, slashing .483/.531/.690 in 14 games, adding 15 RBI.
He went on to double in the sixth inning, later scoring after Freddie Freeman’s second homer of the game to make it 4-2.
Walker (1.42 ERA in four appearances with Atlanta) and Sobotka (2.50 ERA in 18 appearances with Atlanta since April 20) provide some pitching depth.
“Jeremy, he’s a kid that can extend innings and Chad, we’ll just work him in like we did before,” Snitker said. “Camargo went down and good for him, to his credit, he had a really good couple weeks there. He swung the bat, played everywhere. So that was probably good for him at that point in time to do that. He’s ready to go and it’ll be good to get (McCann) back and we’ll just add as we see fit and need.”
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