The Atlanta Braves have signed Orioles catcher to a league contract, according to multiple media reports.
The 11-year veteran adds depth to the catcher position as Braves starting catcher Sean Murphy begins the season on the injured list due to a cracked left rib. With Murphy sidelined, Chadwick Tromp is the only other catcher on the Braves’ 40-man roster.
The Braves had two other veteran catchers in camp, but released Curt Casali on Monday and reassigned Sandy Leon to the minor leagues on the same day. The backup catcher for Tromp to start the season could be either McCann or 23-year-old prospect Drake Baldwin.
James McCann has played for the Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, New York Mets, and Baltimore Orioles throughout his career. He was named an All-Star in 2019 while with the White Sox, hitting 18 home runs and 60 RBIs with a .273 batting average.
At 34 years old, McCann hasn’t quite reached those peak numbers again, but he was a reliable catcher for the Orioles in the past two seasons. In 2024, he played in 65 games, recording eight home runs, 31 RBIs, and a .234/.279/.388 slash line.