James McCann returns to the injured list for the second time this season, but Buck Showalter expects the Mets’ starting catcher to miss more than the 10-odd minimum.
McCann suffered an oblique injury while tagging in the sixth inning of Saturday’s 10-inning win over the Marlins. He also spent more than six weeks on the IL with a broken hand before being activated on June 25. Patrick Mazeika was called back from Triple-A Syracuse to assist Tomas Nido in Sunday’s series finale at Citi Field.
“[GM] billy [Eppler] and I just got the information back, so I won’t go too deep, but it won’t just be the DL period,” Buck Showalter said. “It will take longer than 10 days. For the team too, of course, but I’m disappointed for him.
“The coaches talked about it. I don’t know if anyone has ever had to work harder to get back from hamate [injury]. I know Mac was really disappointed [Saturday] Night, wanted to get other news. But it’s the nature of what these guys do for a living. It’s very tiring and sometimes your body doesn’t cooperate or there’s a game that puts you in danger.”
The Mets were still awaiting MRI results for outfielder Starling Marte, who also left Saturday’s game with left groin strains in the fourth inning.
Mets catcher James McCann suffered an oblique injury and made the tag in Saturday’s sixth inning. Robert Sabo
James McCann (left) was placed on the injured list.AP
Marte, a potential All-Star pick for the Mets when the reserves are announced later Sunday, has cut .380/.436/.600 in his last 13 games to raise his overall average to .291 with an .803 OPS. Kramer Robertson was in the clubhouse before the game ready to be activated if it was determined that Marte also needed an IL call.