DETROIT — Tigers rookie James McCann has made 102 appearances behind the plate for the Detroit Tigers. He’s been flawless in all of them.
McCann recently established a modern major league record for the number of consecutive games played behind the plate to start a career without an error.
“That’s impressive for anyone, really,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Wednesday when told about McCann’s record-breaking errorless streak.
McCann’s unblemished record dates back to 2014 when he caught six games for the Tigers after being called up in September, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
McCann topped the record last month previously held by Cleveland Indians’ Frankie Pytlak, who didn’t commit an error in his first 93 games in 1932-34.
“Brad has said, as much as it stinks, the best way to learn is when you’re burned,” McCann said. “It’s been a learning process, and there’s still a lot for me to learn.”
For the most part, however, the 25-year-old McCann has avoided being burned in his first full season with the Tigers.
Selected with the Tigers’ first pick in the 2011 draft, McCann’s streak was nearly cut short when he was charged with a passed ball in a game against the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 18. The passed ball, however, was later changed to a wild pitch.
“I’ll always feel like I can get better,” McCann said. “Because you can never reach your peak ability. No one is going to have a harder grading system than myself.”
Odds & ends
• LHP Daniel Norris (right oblique strain) is tentatively scheduled to throw a simulated game Saturday in Cleveland. Norris reported no discomfort Wednesday after throwing a 30-pitch bullpen session Tuesday in Detroit.
• RHP Anibal Sanchez (right rotator cuff strain) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Tuesday. If he reports no discomfort Thursday, he will throw a simulated game Saturday, according to Ausmus.
• Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez was available off the bench Wednesday, Ausmus said. Martinez missed the previous two games due to a sinus infection. He is expected to return to the lineup Thursday for Detroit’s opener in Cleveland.
• McCann said he felt fine Wednesday — a day after he took a fastball to the head. McCann said the pitch glanced off his helmet and he felt no ill effects afterwards.
• Tiger rookies Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker made their Tigers debut together on this day in 1977. The double-play duo held down the second base and shortstop jobs in Detroit for a record-breaking 19 consecutive seasons.
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