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After undergoing shoulder surgery on Tuesday, it could take Brian McCann up to six months to complete his rehab. If that's the case, he might not be in uniform until mid-April.
McCann is set to begin baseball activities, such as hitting off a tee, in four months, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com.
The question, though, is not when he will be playing next season, it's where. The Braves have a $12 million option on McCann for 2013 that they have until three days after the World Series to decide to pick up.
Although McCann has been a reliable bat in the Atlanta lineup, he is coming off the worst season of his career. The 28-year-old catcher hit .230 with 20 home runs and 67 RBI in 2012. Manager Fredi Gonzalez benched him for David Ross in Atlanta's only playoff game.
McCann has said that the discomfort in his shoulder occurs when he is swinging the bat, not throwing the ball.