McCann better, hopes for minimal DL stint
On Monday, Astros catcher Brian McCann said “I hope” to return on Saturday from a sevenday stint on the disabled list for a concussion.
He went five days before divulging symptoms of a concussion he suffered during a May 14 game against the New York Yankees in which a ball hit him in the facemask.
He and staring pitcher Charlie Morton miscommunicated on a pitch call, which left his catcher’s mitt out of position. Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge complicated matters more when he swung and foul-tipped the pitch into McCann’s mask.
McCann played the rest of the game. He then caught Tuesday against the Marlins and Friday night against the Indians at Minute Maid Park.
He played only twice in five days, which McCann considered enough time to shake off symptoms of a concussion. He said he had felt “a little foggy and thought the next day I’d wake up feeling better.”
He woke up on Saturday feeling unwell and informed the team.
“I came in on Saturday, and I needed to say something and get right,” he said.
His placement on the seven-day disabled list is retroactive to May 20, meaning McCann will be eligible to return Saturday, the same day as lefthander Dallas Keuchel, who has been sidelined with a pinched nerve in his neck.
When asked if he would return by then, McCann said: “I hope so.”
McCann has been a valuable bat outside the heart of the Astros’ lineup. In 30 games played, he has driven in 25 runs and posted an .819 OPS.
He did 20 minutes of cardio before Monday’s series opener with the Detroit Tigers.
“I feel way better than I did two days ago,” he said. “I feel more clear and feel better.”
McCann did not throw or hit Monday.
“They’re getting his heart rate up again, which is part of the protocol,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “He’s not doing any baseball activities, but if he responds well, that will be the next step for him.”
McCann said he had suffered a concussion in the majors once before.
“It took the seven to eight days to come back, and then I was fine,” he said.
He did not blame Morton or the foul tip for his injury.
“It’s part of the position,” McCann said. “I get hit with 97 (mph) square in the face.”
The tough-it-out mentality of sports continues to give way to more medical care as leagues establish concussion protocols, which MLB introduced along with a specific seven-day disabled list in 2011.
“Athletes in general are wired to push it a little too far rather than too little,” Hinch said. “I don’t blame them. The competition is pretty intoxicating.
“Athletes like playing. They like overcoming obstacles. They like taking care of their own business. But the more information that’s out here, the more assessments they can have done, the better they are at disclosing when they’re not feeling right.”
Despite holding out for nearly a week, McCann, in his 13th season, said it is important to come forth with concussion symptoms.
“It’s very important,” he said. “You don’t want to mess with these things.
“Take the seven days and heal up.”