Report: Braves bring in McCann on minor-league contract

The Atlanta Braves signed catcher James McCann to a minor-league deal, a source told Robert Murray of FanSided.

McCann, 34, hit .234/.279/.388 with eight home runs and 31 RBIs in 65 games with the Baltimore Orioles in 2024.

The Braves have short-term uncertainty at the catching position with expected starter Sean Murphy sidelined due to a cracked rib. He'll open the season on the injured list and miss several weeks.

McCann hasn't appeared in spring training and the 11-year veteran will begin the season at Triple-A to get up to speed, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman. Rookie Drake Baldwin and journeyman Chadwick Tromp will likely split the majority of the reps for Atlanta in the meantime.

McCann owns a career .673 OPS (83 OPS+).