McCann left today's Spring Training game with, as Al Michaels would say, "a hand."

MLB.com just broke the news that Braves all-star catcher Brian McCann left today’s Spring Training game with an injury after taking a Mark Teixeira foul ball off his hand. It’s likely a precautionary move, but even if it’s not a major injury, the all-star catcher will more than likely miss the rest of Spring Training.

Teixeira was McCann’s teammate in 2007 and 2008. You think you know a guy!

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Update: AJC.com is reporting that McCann’s injury ’tis but a flesh wound:

“Braves Nation could breath a collective sigh of relief Saturday after Brian McCann’s finger injury was diagnosed as a mere bruise.

“The All-Star catcher was struck in the right ring finger by a foul tip off the bat of former teammate Mark Teixeira in the first inning of Saturday’s 6-4 loss to the New York Yankees.”

Bobby Cox told AJC the team “caught a break.” No foolin’, especially since McCann’s backup is David Ross, whose OPS+ over the past three years has been 130, 68 and 88 (that’s actually pretty great for a backup catcher), whereas McCann’s has been 143, 100 and 104.

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Mark Teixeira - the next Reggie?

Howard Bryant at ESPN drew on his experience in following the Yankees in Spring Training, and considers Mark Teixeira the next in a long line of potential saviors to sit down with Reggie Jackson to have “The Talk.” Every time the Yankees sign a big free agent when they’re on the World Series hunt, Jackson typically takes them out to dinner to give them a rundown on what it’s like to play for New York as a high-dollar acquisition.

Jackson has spoken with Jason Giambi and A-rod in the recent past, and while both of them performed admirably for the Yankees, neither did what Jackson did: win the team a World Series title. Bryant believes much of Jackson’s success was due to his legitimate desire to prove himself in New York: “Reggie came to New York for the most authentic of reasons. Jackson craved New York, wanted it to become a part of him. He left for free agency following the 1981 season; but for the most part, he has been back ever since the day he retired. Wanting to absorb all of New York was real for him.”

There’s no telling on how Tex will shake out, but Bryant’s perspective is an interesting read.

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Joe Blancato a-rod, espn, howard bryant, jason giambi, mark teixeira, reggie jackson, yankees