Miami takes caution with Cervelli after 7th concussion. ‘I want him to have a great life’
There was a time not so long ago when Francisco Cervelli thought he was done with catching. Last year when he was playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cervelli suffered his sixth documented concussion and told DKPittsburghSports.com, “That’s enough.” He joined the Miami Marlins in the offseason, however, with the plan to be a full-time catcher once again.
After an excellent start to the 2020 season, a concussion once again has put Cervelli’s future in question, though. The catcher sustained another concussion in August and he has now been sidelined nearly two weeks by the head injury. Early reports on his recovery has been positive, but the Marlins are understandably being cautious.
“The one thing that all of us think about with Francisco — he’s had a number of these — is really his long-term health and that’s one of the things we talked to him about,” manager Don Mattingly said Friday. “I know the organization is concerned about that.”
Cervelli has spent time in each of the last three seasons on the injured list because of concussions.
The latest one hasn’t deterred him from trying to return. General manager Michael Hill said last month the 34-year-old Venezuelan “is still as passionate as ever” to return and try to help Miami (16-17) in its playoff race. The Marlins just want to make sure it won’t put Cervelli’s long-term health in jeopardy.
“I told Francisco I want him to be healthy, but I want him to have a great life,” Mattingly said. “He’s already had a great career and you want him to have a great life after baseball. He can still give to it, so obviously I sound probably fairly negative, but we want him to be healthy. That’s the main thing with him and all our guys, but, obviously, I think we’ve all seen the danger of the concussion and brain injuries, and what happens to guys later on in life and what the damage can be. And it’s one of the things that we definitely don’t want for Francisco.”
With Cervelli out, catcher Jorge Alfaro has resumed full-time duties behind the plate for Miami.
Magneuris Sierra is also working toward a return after straining his right hamstring last month. Mattingly had no update on a timetable for the outfielder.
“The hamstrings are something to deal with that are tough, especially for a speed guy, but he is progressing,” Mattingly said. “I know I’ve seen him in there hitting off the tee. He’s doing some light agility, things like that. I’m sure they’re progressing everyday, so he’ll be a progression to a point. and then we’ll start getting him into some games and get him ready to play.”
