Orioles' James McCann: Starting at catcher in Game 1
Rotowire
McCann will start at catcher and bat ninth Tuesday in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series versus the Royals, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
With left-hander Cole Ragans toeing the slab for the Royals, the Orioles are going with McCann behind the plate and Adley Rutschman at designated hitter in Game 1. McCann closed out the regular season on a high note with a 1.087 OPS and four home runs in September.
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Orioles' James McCann: Blasts three-run homer
Rotowire
McCann went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run Sunday against the Twins.
McCann's three-run shot provided the winning runs for the Orioles and gave him eight home runs on the year. Over his final 14 games spanning 49 at-bats, McCann contributed a .265 batting average with five homers and 15 RBI. He'll continue to play a key role off the bench for the Orioles as they begin their postseason push Tuesday at home against the Royals.
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Orioles' James McCann: Goes deep twice
Rotowire
McCann went 2-for-3 with two home runs and three RBI in Friday's win against the Tigers.
McCann knocked a two-run shot in the fourth inning and then capped off Baltimore's seven-run night with a solo shot in the sixth. He's hit four home runs over his last 11 appearances dating back to Aug. 20. The veteran catcher owns a .645 OPS with 16 extra-base hits through 221 plate appearances this season.
McCann went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double in Sunday's win against the Rockies.
McCann accounted for Baltimore's only two extra-base hits during the 6-1 victory. He ripped a two-run homer in the fourth inning followed by a double in the ninth. It was his fifth home run of the year and second in his last five appearances. McCann is slashing .223/.270/.348 with 13 extra-base hits and 22 RBI through 200 plate appearances.
McCann went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer and three total RBI in Tuesday's 9-5 win over the Mets.
McCann made his presence felt against his former team, extending Baltimore's lead to 3-0 with a sacrifice fly in the second inning before blasting a two-run homer off Jose Quintana in the fourth. The 34-year-old McCann has been solid at the plate recently, going 10-for-33 (.303) over his last 11 games. Overall, he's slashing .226/.277/.339 through 184 plate appearances this year with four homers, 19 RBI and 23 runs scored while backing up Adley Rutschman behind the plate.
McCann underwent a nasal reduction realignment procedure Monday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
McCann took a fastball off the nose July 29 versus the Blue Jays, suffering multiple nose fractures. The catcher has remained a part of the active roster and is with the team on their road trip in Toronto.
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Orioles' James McCann: Catching in Wednesday's game
Rotowire
McCann (nose) will start at catcher and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays.
Despite suffering multiple nasal fractures when he was hit in the face by a fastball while he was batting in the first inning of Game 1 of Monday's doubeheader with Toronto, McCann was able to stay in the game. After re-evaluating McCann on Tuesday, the Orioles made him available off the bench for their eventual 6-2 win, and he'll now draw back into the lineup for the series finale while top backstop Adley Rutschman gets a day off. According to Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com, McCann took batting practice Wednesday while wearing a protective mask, but it doesn't sound like it'll be anything that inhibits his vision at the plate or while catching.
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Orioles' James McCann: Cleared to play despite fractures
Rotowire
McCann has been diagnosed with multiple nose fractures but has been cleared to play, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
McCann remarkably stayed in Monday's game against the Blue Jays after being struck in the face by a Yariel Rodriguez pitch. He is undoubtedly very sore and the Orioles would probably prefer to avoid using him, if possible, but he'll be available off the bench Tuesday against Toronto.
