ATLANTA (AP) — Braves All-Star catcher Brian McCann is not starting against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night but is available for emergency duty one day after straining a muscle in his right side.
McCann said his side feels “a lot better than I thought” when he left Friday night’s game in the fifth inning. He says he hopes to start Monday.
David Ross is starting for McCann. Manager Fredi Gonzalez says outfielder Matt Diaz would play behind Ross if needed. Diaz has not started a game at catcher in his career, according to STATS LLC. He says he has not played the position since 2005 with Kansas City and helped out as a bullpen catcher with Pittsburgh last season.
Third baseman Chipper Jones is taking a scheduled day off.
