Cervelli, Jaso still on the mend

LOS ANGELES — Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli and first baseman John Jaso weren’t healthy enough to start Friday night at Dodger Stadium, but both could return to the lineup soon.

Cervelli left Wednesday’s game early and didn’t play Thursday due to left wrist soreness, a byproduct of the surgery he had in June to repair a fractured hamate bone. He hit in the indoor batting cage at Dodger Stadium on Friday, took batting practice on the field and went through catching drills.

Manager Clint Hurdle hoped Cervelli would be available off the bench in the Pirates’ series opener against the Dodgers.

“Cervelli’s making progress,” Hurdle said. “He reported feeling better today.”

Catching prospect Elias Diaz, who joined the team Thursday (but was not added to the roster) just in case Cervelli’s injury was more serious, traveled with the Pirates to Los Angeles. But he was packing up a duffel bag Friday afternoon and will likely return to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Backup catcher Eric Fryer started behind the plate for the Pirates on Friday. If Cervelli is unable …

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