New York Mets catcher James McCann is back from his stint on the IL. Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Mets reinstate catcher James McCann from IL for series opener vs. Braves

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 8/4/22

The first-place New York Mets recently got ace Jacob deGrom and relief pitcher Trevor May back from injury-related absences, and the Amazins also took two of three games from the division-rival Washington Nationals ahead of a four-day, five-contest series versus the second-place Atlanta Braves that begins Thursday evening at Citi Field.

New York had yet another player return to the active roster before Thursday's matchup.

Per SNY, the Mets reinstated catcher James McCann from the 10-day injured list on Thursday afternoon. In a corresponding roster move, New York optioned Patrick Mazeika back to Triple-A Syracuse.

McCann didn't have to wait long to play, as he was back in the lineup to catch Carlos Carrasco for Thursday's series opener:

Home sweet home. #LGM

: Atlanta
: @cookie_carrasco
: @CitiField
: 7:10 p.m.
: @SNYtv
: @wcbs880
: https://t.co/eWyfmo7kQy pic.twitter.com/vAGghZIuTf
— New York Mets (@Mets) August 4, 2022

It's been a rough season for McCann, who previously missed more than six weeks due to a fractured left hamate bone that required him to have surgery. As noted by the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), the 32-year-old then landed on the IL last month with a left oblique strain he suffered in a game against the Miami Marlins.

McCann entered Thursday slashing .183/.250/.293 with two home runs and 11 RBI on the big-league campaign. Per the Mets' website, he went 4-for-17 with one home run and seven strikeouts during his rehab assignment for Double-A Binghamton that lasted four games. McCann and Tomas Nido are expected to split catching duties for the Mets until further notice.

The Mets, meanwhile, held a three-and-a-half-game lead over the Braves at the start of Thursday's action.

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