SAN FRANCISCO — James McCann’s lower-back discomfort has left him in limbo as the Mets try to figure out their catching situation.
A day after he was scratched from the lineup with back spasms, McCann was unavailable again Wednesday, as Patrick Mazeika received a second straight start behind the plate. To provide protection, the Mets recalled catcher Chance Sisco and optioned pitcher Yennsy Diaz.
Earlier this week, the Mets placed Tomas Nido on the injured list with a left thumb sprain, leaving them thin behind the plate.
McCann was “moving a little better” than a night earlier, according to manager Luis Rojas, but was dealing with back tightness. He will be evaluated before Thursday’s game in Los Angeles. Rojas did not rule out the possibility of an IL stint for McCann.
Sisco, who was claimed off waivers by the Mets in June, played in 23 games for the Orioles this season and slashed .154/.247/.185 with three RBIs.
He appeared as a pinch hitter in the 12th inning and delivered an RBI double in the Mets’ 6-2 victory over the Giants at Oracle Park.
Pete Alonso underwent X-rays (negative) after he was drilled by a Jake McGee pitch near the left elbow in the ninth inning. Alonso has swelling in his triceps, according to Rojas.
Seth Lugo and Aaron Loup were both unavailable because of recent usage, according to Rojas. That left Jeurys Familia as the best option to pitch the 11th inning, when the Giants tied it 2-2 on Tommy La Stella’s RBI single. Loup had pitched the previous night, and Lugo (who hadn’t pitched since Monday) requested an extra day of rest. Jake Reed got the final three outs in the 12th inning.
Rojas indicated there was thought about letting Tylor Megill, at 90 pitches, continue beyond the sixth inning. But among the considerations is the rookie’s innings count — he’s thrown a career-high 106 ¹/₃ innings, split between the minors and major leagues.
“We are aware of him not being able to pitch last year [because of the pandemic] and him being ramped up this year,” Rojas said. “We have our eyes open on it and we [will] see how he responds from outing to outing.”
Jonathan Villar was picked off first base by Jose Alvarez in the second inning. It was the seventh time this season Villar has been picked off, which leads the major leagues.