James McCann has just etched his name into the MLB record books—but it's not the kind of achievement you'd want to brag about at the water cooler.

The veteran catcher, currently with the Arizona Diamondbacks, has set a dubious new mark: more pitching appearances by a position player before the end of April than anyone in MLB history. According to Baseball Reference's Jessica Brand, McCann has already taken the mound in four games this season, including Thursday's lopsided loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

On the surface, McCann is doing his part to save the bullpen from further strain. But let's be honest—when your catcher is called on to pitch that often, it signals a deeper problem. The Diamondbacks simply can't keep letting games spiral out of control, forcing them to rely on a position player to mop up innings.

McCann isn't out there trying to light up the radar gun. He's focused on getting through the game efficiently, preserving arms for the days ahead. So far, he's thrown 4.0 innings, allowing six runs (five earned) with three walks, one home run allowed, and zero strikeouts. Opposing batters are hitting a staggering .474 against him this season.

For context, McCann had previously thrown a scoreless inning for the Baltimore Orioles in 2023, followed by a rough outing in 2024 where he gave up two earned runs. Now, he's become a regular on the mound—a role no position player aspires to fill.

Recent MLB rules have tried to limit when position players can pitch, but the Diamondbacks have clearly found a loophole. It's a creative solution, but one that usually spells trouble for a team's overall success. For McCann, this record is a testament to his willingness to help the team, but it's also a glaring reminder of Arizona's struggles early in the season.