This forgotten Orioles catcher is back in the majors (and the timing could not be worse)

Wild Card Series - Kansas City Royals v Baltimore Orioles - Game 2
Wild Card Series - Kansas City Royals v Baltimore Orioles - Game 2 | Patrick Smith/GettyImages

The Baltimore Orioles suddenly have a crisis at the catcher position. With Adley Rutschman on the IL with an oblique strain, Maverick Handley may soon be joining him. After a wild collision with Jazz Chisholm at home plate on Sunday, it remains possible that Handley may be headed to the IL. The silver lining is that Handley's injury could lead to the debut of Samuel Basallo, but there is one reunion that can already be discarded.

Former Orioles catcher James McCann opened the 2025 season on a minor league deal with the Braves. As is standard for veterans like McCann, with an organization on a minor-league deal, if a Major League opportunity opens up elsewhere, the team likely won't stand in the way. That was the case on Sunday, as the Braves released McCann to allow him to sign a major league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Like the Orioles, the Diamondbacks are dealing with catching injuries of their own. Diamondbacks' catcher Gabriel Moreno is dealing with a fractured finger that will have him sidelined for several weeks. Chances are, if the timing were right, the Orioles may have been the team to poach McCann from the Braves' organization instead of the Diamondbacks.

James McCann makes surprise MLB return at the worst possible moment

Prior to signing with the Diamondbacks, McCann had been feasting on minor-league pitching in the Braves' organization. In 164 plate appearances, McCann was slashing .305/.341/.510/125 wRC+ with 6 home runs.

As Orioles fans are well aware of after the last two seasons, offense isn't the first thing that comes to mind when talking about McCann's profile as a catcher. Before this season, McCann spent the last two seasons with the Orioles in a backup role. In each season, McCann posted a wRC+ under 90.

With McCann not being an option, Gary Sanchez would seemingly be the next man up if Handley has to go on the IL. Given where the Orioles are in their season, however, the writing is on the wall for Basallo to get the call if a catcher is needed at the Major League level. At this point, the Orioles have nothing to lose.

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