The Detroit Tigers have placed starting catcher James McCann on the 15-day disabled list with a right ankle sprain, the team announced.
According to Jason Beck of MLB.com, the injury is a Grade 2 sprain. McCann is on track to return in 2-4 weeks, which would be sometime during the month of May.
“I’m young, so, hopefully, it heals quick,” he said. “I hope for the best. I guess the saying is, ‘It could have been a lot worse.’ So I’m thankful for what it is.”
McCann suffered the injury on Monday against the Pittsburgh Pirates as the catcher collided with Pirates first baseman John Jaso. McCann turned his ankle just before colliding with Jaso and he was removed from the game. The right-handed hitter is currently in a boot and the team will know more about the severity of the injury once the swelling subsides.
“It hurts,” manager Brad Ausmus said. “Obviously, the longer he’s gone, the more it hurts.”
Due to the injury of McCann, Detroit has called up catcher Bobby Wilson from Triple-A Toledo. The Tigers acquired Wilson and right-handed pitcher Myles Jaye from the Texas Rangers for catcher Bryan Holaday on March 29, 2016. Wilson will take the place of McCann on the active roster, but will serve as the backup catcher to Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
Saltalamacchia, or Salty, has gone 2-for-7 (.286) across two games this season. The switch hitter has smashed a home run and four RBI in his 10th major league year, but first year with Detroit. Saltalamacchia, a first round pick in the 2003 MLB Draft, should hold his own behind the dish for a few weeks. Wilson, 33, has hit .204 with nine home runs and 51 RBI across 249 games in seven major league seasons.
The Tigers have got outstanding defensive production from McCann, who has thrown out four of five base runners on attempted steals, this season. The 25-year-old has slashed .133/.133/.133 with two RBI this season. Last year, McCann hit .264 with seven home runs and 41 RBI across 114 games.
“My goal is to be back as soon as possible,” McCann said. “I’ll get after a rehab process as vigorously as possible, with the mind-set of coming off the DL as quickly as the 15 days allows me to.”