ATLANTA (AP) -Brian McCann returned to the Atlanta Braves’ lineup Friday night and wasted no time getting right in the middle of things.
After sitting out one game with a sore hand, McCann drove in two runs with a first-inning double against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Then, in an astonishing repeat, he was called for catcher’s interference in the top of the second – the very same play that forced him out of his last game with a bruised ring finger on his left hand.
McCann’s glove was struck by the bat of Andre Ethier, who was awarded first base after fouling the pitch off. The swing appeared to tip the webbing of McCann’s glove and not the ailing finger, which was hurt Tuesday night.
McCann left that game after giving up a passed ball and sat out the finale of a series against the Philadelphia Phillies. He got an extra day to recover when the Braves were off Thursday.
“It’s sore, but I can play through it,” he said after batting practice. “If I can help the team, I will.”
McCann wore an extra padding on his hand, which was previously injured about two weeks ago while trying to bunt. He said it was more painful to hit than to catch.
“It’s one of those things when you grip the bat, you don’t feel right,” he said. “You know it’s going to hurt a little bit. But catching is the most important thing. I’ve got to get back to doing what I can to help the team.”
McCann’s backup, Brayan Pena, also was injured Tuesday when struck in the head on a backswing. He went on the 15-day disabled list with a concussion, prompting the Braves to call up 22-year-old prospect Jarrod Saltalamacchia from Double-A Mississippi.
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