- Commissioner’s statement on Ventura, Marte
- Ronnie O’Sullivan: Masters champion ‘felt so vulnerable’ in final
- Arron Fletcher Wins 2017 WSOP International Circuit Marrakech Main Event ($140,224)
- Smith challenges Warner to go big in India
- Moncada No. 1 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Braves land 2 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Kingery makes MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- New Zealand wrap up 2-0 after Bangladesh implosion
- Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka
- Elliott hopes for rain for Poli
Cervelli showcases versatility at first base
- Updated: April 19, 2016
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 …
continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com
