McCann managed to overcome the vision problems that plagued him early and delivered his typical strong production. At age 25, he could be in store for even bigger numbers in the seasons to come.

McCann had the same procedure performed at the conclusion of the 2007 season. While the surgery was successful, the 25-year-old catcher's vision changed and caused him to experience blurred vision in his left eye during the first five weeks of this past season. After hitting .195 and totaling just 51 plate appearances in April, McCann returned on May 8 with prescription glasses. Although he managed to hit .289 with 19 homers over the final 125 games he played this year, he never gained a sense of comfort while at or behind the plate. "It's going to be like day and night for me," McCann said. "It's going to make a big difference for me."

The two ribbies gave McCann 90 on the year, the third time in four full seasons he's reached that mark. Given that he recorded 87 RBIs in the remaining campaign, it's clear the backstop is a highly reliable option. His 90 RBIs also put him in a tie with Joe Mauer for second among all catchers.

The injury that initially prompted concern was later diagnosed as a bruise when X-ray results came back negative. This was hardly a great game for McCann, who struck out three times, but owners can feel comfortable knowing the hard-hitting backstop is healthy enough to play.

McCann, who was hit by a foul tip on the bottom left side of his left hand, was hopeful about the possibility of returning to action as soon as Wednesday. But at the same time, he provided indication that he might need more than just one day to rest. "If I can swing the bat, then I'm definitely going to play," McCann said. "But if I can't swing, then I'd just be hurting the team by being out there."

LaRoche strained his back while diving for a ball during the latter portion of Friday night's loss to the Phillies and felt further discomfort before exiting Saturday night's game in the seventh inning. "It wasn't horrible until I took my last swing on a changeup or something," said LaRoche, who took some additional swings in the batting cage before confirming he was unavailable for Sunday's game. "Hopefully it's nothing that will keep me out very long." The Braves also started Sunday's game without Brian McCann, who was given a day to rest, and Yunel Escobar, who told the Braves he was still feeling discomfort courtesy of the Pedro Martinez curveball that struck his left arm on Saturday night.

After slumping miserably at the start of September, McCann seems to have regained his footing. Thursday's performance extended his hit streak to six games, during which time he's gone 11-for-22 (.500 AVG) with a homer, four doubles and nine RBIs. Overall, it's been another quality season for this top-tier fantasy catcher, who's batting .282 with 19 long balls and 84 RBIs.

McCann has come out of an 0-for-17 funk by ripping eight hits, crossing home four times and driving in four runners over his past three games, reminding all what the big buy is capable of when he's locked in at the dish.

McCann's four-hit outburst put an emphatic end to a 0-for-21 slump that dropped his average to .271. The performance could spark a turnaround, or at least allow the switch-hitting backstop to finish the season respectably. He heads into Friday sporting a .277 clip with 18 homers, 32 doubles and 77 RBIs.

Ross found his name penciled in for his first September start after Brian McCann was scratched due to a strained oblique muscle. The 32-year-old vet has filled in admirably for McCann whenever he is pressed into action, but he can't be counted on for much in his current backup role.

Jones has been battling a sore back, and his left oblique muscle, which caused him to miss three games against the Dodgers in August, flared up during Saturday night's 3-1 loss to the Reds. The veteran third baseman said that his current discomfort is now closer to his stomach than his side. While hitting just .220 over his past 36 games, McCann hasn't complained of fatigue or any physical discomforts. But with the club having an off-day on Monday, Braves skipper Bobby Cox wanted to give his All-Star catcher a chance to treat the discomfort he's been recently feeling in his right side. "I've been planning to give Mac a few days," Cox said. "He's got a little thing there, and the trainers don't even know how he's been playing." Although the injuries don't appear to be too serious, owners should keep a close watch on both players over the next few days.

The perennial All-Star hasn't hit for much contact this month, but whatever he has gotten a hold of has gone a long way. After going two straight weeks without a homer (July 31-Aug. 14), McCann has sent five taters screaming out of the yard and driven in a resounding 15 runners in his past nine games.

The slugging backstop might only be hitting .227 with an on-base percentage more befitting of a light-hitting infielder (.297) in August, but McCann has still been a terror at the plate, socking four homers (all coming over his last seven games) with 15 RBIs in what looks to be his second straight month of 20-plus ribbies.

That's three dinger in the last five games for McCann, who appears determined to reach the 20-homer mark for the third time in his career.

Good news, here. Wednesday's breakout showing was McCann's first multi-hit game since July 30 and snaps a month-long cold snap. He had been just 9-for-50 (.180) in August, and was slugging just .300 coming into this game. He's better than that, of course, and it's nice to see him playing that way.