BALTIMORE–Catcher James McCann, who was hit in the face with a pitch that broke his nose on Monday, has been cleared to play, manager Brandon Hyde said on Tuesday.
In the bottom of the first inning of Monday’s first game of a doubleheader with the Toronto Blue Jays, McCann was hit by Yariel Rodriguez. After a lengthy delay for treatment, McCann remained in the game and caught the next eight innings. He received several ovations and a new No. 1 fan, starting pitcher Zach Eflin, who was more interested in talking about McCann’s toughness than his first win as an Oriole.
“Before we even talk about the outing, what a leader James McCann is,” Eflin said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that on a baseball field. I just became his probably No. 1 fan. To be able to go through that and stay in the game and show the grit and determination and competitiveness that he has, it’s inspiring. That was awesome.”
On Tuesday, Hyde provided an update on McCann.
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“He’s feeling sore,” Hyde said. “He’s got some fractures there in his nose. He’s cleared to play. It’s really incredible. I’ve never seen anything like that.”
Adley Rutschman, who’s starting at catcher in Tuesday night’s game against the Blue Jays, was getting ready to enter the game on Monday, but McCann was able to continue.
“Doesn’t look good,” Rutschman said on Tuesday. “But everyone was impressed by the kind of character he has, his toughness … Tough guy, great leader, exactly the kind of guy you’d have in this clubhouse.”
The Orioles had summoned catcher Blake Hunt from Triple-A Norfolk in case McCann was unable to play, but Hunt hasn’t been activated.