Pirates' Cervelli disputes report he won't catch again


Reuters | Updated: 14-07-2019 01:07 IST | Created: 14-07-2019 01:06 IST
Pirates' Cervelli disputes report he won't catch again
A week ago, DKPittsburghSports.com reported that Cervelli said he wouldn't return to the position. He has had at least six concussions. Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
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Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli, recovering from a concussion, said Saturday he wants to return to the game at any position - even catcher. A week ago, DKPittsburghSports.com reported that Cervelli said he wouldn't return to the position. He has had at least six concussions.

"That's enough. This time is different. I can't live like this," he was quoted as saying. But Cervelli disputed that report on Saturday.

"I never said that I don't want to catch," Cervelli told reporters on Saturday. "That was a misunderstanding. It never came from my mouth." Cervelli, 33, was placed on the seven-day concussion list on May 26 and transferred to the 10-day injured list on June 4. He has been cleared to resume baseball activities but not for game action. He has been working out at the third base and other infield positions.

"I've been working everywhere. I'm doing everything," Cervelli said. "They need a mascot, I'll be the mascot. I just want to be up there. The past week watching the games, the adrenaline has come back. It's hard for me. I want to be able to contribute to a team and win." Pirates general manager Neal Huntington told reporters last Sunday that Cervelli's future might not be behind the plate.

"We have to be open to the fact that maybe third base or first base or right field or a bat off the bench or maybe he becomes a regular somewhere at each of those," he said. Cervelli is in his 12th MLB season, spending the first seven with the New York Yankees. He's a career .269 hitter but is batting just .193 in 34 games this season, with one home run and five RBIs.

--Field Level Media

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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