Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann, diagnosed at midseason with a frayed muscle and cyst in his right (throwing) shoulder, tells the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he probably will need surgery that could require up to four or five months of recovery.

If the six-time All-Star, who struggled through a career-worst season, is right about the possible recovery time, it would affect his availability for spring training and the start of the 2013 season.

The question: How bad is the shoulder?

"We already basically know what is going to happen, what needs to happen," McCann said, according to the Journal-Constitution. "I think it's going to be (a matter of) how long I'm out for. Could be a couple of months, it could be a little more than that. Could be four or five months. We'll see what happens. We'll find out. I can't really say right now, but I'm pretty sure surgery."

However, Braves general manager Frank Wren wasn't as definitive as his catcher.