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McCann hopeful for Friday return

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Brian McCann will wear new prescription glasses when he returns to the field. (John Bazemore/AP)

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By Mark Bowman / MLB.com

05/04/09 8:18 PM ET

ATLANTA -- Brian McCann will remain in the Atlanta area to complete a two-game Minor League rehab assignment, which he hopes will put himself in position to be activated from the disabled list in time to resume his role as the Braves' catcher for Friday's series opener in Philadelphia.

McCann expects to receive his new prescription glasses on Wednesday, and then travel approximately one hour north of Atlanta to serve as designated hitter for Class A Rome later that night.

The Gwinnett County native is then scheduled to essentially play in his backyard on Thursday, while serving as Triple-A Gwinnett's catcher.

If McCann is encouraged with the vision that he experiences with these glasses, he'll travel to Philadelphia to prepare for the three-game series against the Phillies.

The All-Star catcher has battled blurred vision in his left eye since Opening Day, and he has been sidelined since April 22.

While attempting to account for the fact that his vision has changed since he underwent Lasik surgery after the 2007 season, McCann has been unable to remedy his situation with multiple pairs of contacts. He has been told that the surgical procedure altered the shape of his eyes and made it difficult for him to wear contacts without feeling discomfort.

McCann's prescription glasses will essentially have the same look as the Oakley sunglasses that many Major Leaguers wear. To account for their presence, he is going to attempt to wear a goalie-style catcher's helmet.

Injuries have limited the Braves to using their Opening Day lineup just three times this year. But they're hopeful that McCann's return is imminent, and they're looking forward to putting Garret Anderson back in the lineup on Tuesday. Anderson has been on the disabled list since April 20 with a strained left quadriceps muscle.

Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.