ATLANTA (AP) - Brian McCann's latest experiment with new contact lenses has ended, and the Atlanta Braves' All-Star catcher said Friday he plans to try to resume his season while wearing glasses.
McCann, who said he has never worn glasses while playing, has had difficulty with blurred vision this season. He was placed on the disabled list on April 25, retroactive to April 23, and tried new contact lenses on a minor league rehabilitation assignment with Class A Myrtle Beach.The new lenses provided only a temporary fix before "it would go right back to being dry again," McCann said while wearing new glasses.
McCann said eye drops didn't help.
"It's just not right on my eye," McCann said of the contacts. "It doesn't feel good."
McCann had laser surgery on his eyes after the 2007 season. He said the procedure changed the shape of his eyes, making contacts more difficult to wear.
He said another surgery is an option he hopes to avoid, at least until after the season.
"I hate being on the DL," McCann said. "I just feel like I'm not here. And I hate that. ... This is probably the toughest thing I've had to go through."
McCann took batting practice Friday while wearing glasses. He said he has ordered sports glasses he hopes will be comfortable enough to wear while catching, possibly with a new hockey style helmet.
"It's something I wish I wasn't going through, but at the same time, I hope this solution works," he said.
McCann, who has a .295 career batting average, is hitting .195 with two home runs and seven RBI in 13 games.
Braves manager Bobby Cox said McCann will return to the minor leagues as early as Sunday as he tries to adjust to the glasses.
"Hopefully that will settle everything," Cox said, adding it is possible McCann may have to wear the glasses only when he is hitting.
McCann said he plans to join the team for the start of a series at Philadelphia on May 8, when he is eligible to come off the disabled list.
The Braves also were without catcher David Ross on Friday night. Ross was with his wife for the birth of their son and planned to return for Saturday's game. Clint Sammons made his first start of the season.
The loss of McCann has forced the Braves to find a new cleanup hitter at a time their projected No. 5 hitter, Garret Anderson, also is on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left quadriceps.
Jeff Francoeur was given his first start as the No. 4 hitter in Friday night's game against Houston. Casey Kotchman, who has no homers and five RBIs, was the No. 5 hitter.
Meanwhile, Cox gave Omar Infante his third straight start at second base. Cox said Kelly Johnson would return to the starting lineup on Saturday.
