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Diamondbacks to Sign Long-time MLB Catcher to Major-League Deal

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Eric W. Bolin | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 9:58 PM ET

James McCann wasn't getting a shot to make the Atlanta Braves' roster. So the longtime MLB catcher was granted his release in order to sign a big-league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to a report from Ken Rosenthal.

McCann, who has played 11 seasons in the bigs, will join the Diamondbacks after Arizona put starting catcher Gabriel Moreno on the injuried list because of a finger fracture. Moreno is expected to miss a few weeks.

In comes McCann. He will likely share plate duties with Arizona's usual No. 2 catcher, Jose Herrera. The former offers more with the bat, though.

McCann, 35, was slashing .297/.333/.493 with six home runs in 41 games with Triple-A Gwinnett. He was blocked from the majors by former All-Star Sean Murphy and potential Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin.

Over his 919 games in the majors, McCann is a career .241 hitter with 92 home runs. He last played in the MLB in 2024, logging 233 plate appearances with the Baltimore Orioles. From 2015 to 2021, McCann was the primary catcher for the Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox and New York Mets. With the Mets, he ceded the No. 1 role to Francisco Alvarez, who the Mets demoted to Triple-A on Sunday.

Herrera carries an OPS of .562 over his 31 games with the Diamondbacks this year, his fourth with the club, all as a reserve.

Arizona heads into Monday at 39-38, eight games behind National League West-leading Los Angeles and 3 1/2 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for the final NL Wild Card spot.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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