News
Blurred vision forces McCann to DL
All-Star catcher eligible to return May 8 vs. Phillies
By Mark Bowman / MLB.com
04/25/09 1:28 PM ET
CINCINNATI-- Brian McCann has spent the past couple weeks frustrated by the fact that he's had constant blurred vision in his left eye. The Braves All-Star catcher will spend the next two weeks hoping to find the proper solution.The Braves announced on Saturday morning that they've placed McCann on the 15-day disabled list with what they've termed a left eye infection. With the move made retroactive to Thursday, the 25-year-old catcher will be eligible for activation for the May 8 series opener in Philadelphia.
"I hate going on the DL," McCann said. "That's the last thing I was going to do. But I feel like it's something that's going to get me back to seeing the baseball and being able to perform at this level."
McCann is hopeful that he can regain his optimal vision by simply repeating the Lasik surgical procedure that he first underwent after the 2007 season. But he's conscious of the fact that he might need to do more than simply correct the vision in his left eye.
While dealing with this blurriness since Opening Day, McCann has tried multiple remedies, but eye drops, an antibiotic ointment and multiple contact lenses haven't proven to be unsuccessful in solving the problem.
McCann is hoping to find more clarity about his situation when he visits Dr. Alan Kozarsky in Atlanta on Monday. Kozarsky performed the initial Lasik procedure on the catcher two years ago.
"I'll have more [on] Monday," McCann said. "I'll probably have everything you need to know on Monday."
After an eye specialist fitted him with a new contact lens in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, McCann felt optimistic that he would regain his vision after spending a few days getting comfortable with the lens.
But after emerging from batting practice on Friday night, he indicated that his vision hadn't really improved.
"I feel like with my contact in, my eye -- every five seconds, it's blurry again," McCann said on Friday. "It's just dry, and I'm not seeing good out of it."
McCann recorded six hits, including five for extra bases, during his first 16 at-bats this season, but he has just two hits in his past 26 at-bats.
The Braves have recalled Clint Sammons from Triple-A Gwinnett to take McCann's roster spot. Sammons arrived in time to serve as the backup catcher for Saturday afternoon's game against the Reds.
David Ross, who is regarded as a strong defensive catcher, will handle the primary catching duties for the Braves while McCann is sidelined. Entering Saturday, Ross had four hits, including a homer and a double, in 12 at-bats this year.
Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
