Cervelli showcases versatility at first base

SAN DIEGO — In the ninth inning of the Pirates’ 9-3 win over the Brewers on Sunday, Francisco Cervelli traded in his catcher’s gear for a first baseman’s mitt. How did he feel about that?

“I like to catch,” Cervelli said, smiling. “I’ll do everything for my team. But I like to catch.”

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle intended to give Cervelli a chance at first base during the last week of Spring Training, but minor injuries to other players kept Hurdle from following through on that plan.

Cervelli is a gifted defensive catcher, highly praised by his pitchers for his game-calling and one of the game’s most highly regarded pitch-framers. But there is a scenario in which he moves over to first base while Chris Stewart plays behind the plate.

“We talked about using it as an option during the season, to get both bats in play, depending on the development of our first-base situation,” Hurdle said. “Cervelli can flat go over and play first base. We all are aware of the fact that he likes to catch first, but he has gone over there, and he’s given …

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