Braves' McCann faces crucial season

Brian McCann, who grew up in the Atlanta suburb of Duluth, Ga., was always expected to replace Chipper Jones as the face of the Braves franchise. But Jones has retired, and it is no longer a given that McCann will be around long term himself. Although the Braves picked up McCann's $12 million option for 2013 rather than buy the catcher out for $500,000, no one really knows what next season or the future will hold. McCann, plagued by health issues for two seasons, had extensive surgery on his right shoulder Oct. 16 and faces a rehab of four to six months. That means he likely will be limited in spring training and could miss much of the first month of the season. "We'll know more in spring training," Braves general manager Frank Wren said. "We're still probably looking at early April before doctors will turn him loose." The Braves hope to re-sign free agent David Ross, who homered while starting in place of McCann in the National League wild-ca...