Standing before a semi-circle of reporters late Thursday afternoon in the Pirates clubhouse, Francisco Cervelli declared "Right now, I am a catcher."
Indeed, in a bit of a surprise, Cervelli was back behind the plate for the start of the Pirates' four-game series against the New York Mets on Thursday night at PNC Park.
The 32-year-old had been on the disabled list since July 14 after experiencing recurring concussion symptoms, just a week after he returned to the active roster after taking repeated foul balls off his mask. It was the fourth diagnosed concussion in his 11-year career.
On Thursday, the Venezuelan reported that he's feeling better and is happy to be back playing after traveling with the team during its post-All-Star break trip to Cincinnati and Cleveland. Though he's been sporting a bigger, hockey goalie-style mask in recent weeks, he says there is nothing he can do differently at this time to prevent another injury.
"Watch the game from the stands? Or in the suite? Or stay here and watch them on television? That's the only way," he says. "What happened, the thing is, bad luck."
Cervelli's return to good health is some good news for the surging Pirates, who have won 11 of their last 12, but will be without 2/3 of their starting outfield tonight.
Starling Marte, who was hit by a pitch Wednesday by Indians starter Trevor Bauer, is out of the lineup as Sean Rodriguez will make the start in center. Corey Dickerson is out for a second straight game after experiencing hamstring discomfort running out a ground ball Tuesday at Progressive Field. Jordan Luplow will start in his place in left field.
Both Marte and Dickerson are listed as bench players but Clint Hurdle would provide no further detail on their condition. The only transaction the Pirates announced on Thursday was Cervelli coming off the DL and Jacob Stallings being optioned to Indianapolis. That's pretty fair evidence that whatever is ailing Marte and Dickerson is not considered too serious.
Obviously, given the nature of the injury, there's a bit more concern with Cervelli.
"It's not scary, it's just weird," he said of the symptoms. "You don't feel right. It's not funny when you wake up and you're like that for days."
But Hurdle said that Cervelli has passed through all the necessary testing.
"I think we've been able to gain some experience along with Francisco as we walk back to this arena from time to time, but the testing is all part of the doctors, the specialists, the experts that do this," Hurdle said. "The Players Association and Major League Baseball. There's a different clearance than a guy coming back and his hamstring is 50 percent. We've talked internally about how we want to monitor things moving forward."
Cervelli said that during the off-season he plans to talk with hockey and football players who've had concussions to gain a better understanding of what he's gone through and what he can expect in the future. But for right now, his focus is on tonight's game.
Though he's "right now, a catcher," that could be subject to change. Hurdle said the Pirates are taking it "day by day" with Cervelli. There is no limit on Cervelli for games he can catch, though asking Cervelli not to catch is like "telling a matador to not fight bulls," Hurdle said.
Still, Cervelli has taken some ground balls at first base this season in pre-game and has played games there as well as second and third base in his career. If he's to extend his career, a position change might happen at some point.
"I've been catching ground balls at first but we have good players here," Cervelli said. "I don't know exactly on the days I don't play, I'm going to go everywhere (Hurdle asks). Right now, I'm a catcher. But, of course, you have to be open to other things."