Cervelli starts, leaves early
Drawing any conclusions about Francisco Cervelli’s return to the starting lineup after a fiveday break might be tough.
Sure, Cervelli singled in the fifth inning Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies, presumably some type of a confidence boost after his batting average had plummeted to .179. But the half-inning before, Cervelli took a foul tip to the chest and wound up leaving the game at the start of the sixth as a precautionary measure because of a contusion, replaced by Elias Diaz.
The Cervelli situation is certainly one worth monitoring.
Over the weekend, Diaz reinforced the idea that he’s capable of not only spelling but also perhaps platooning with Cervelli, going eight for 16 in those four games against the San Diego Padres. But the Pirates will also want to keep Cervelli in the mix, for his defense and the potential for his power to return.
Despite the fact that Cervelli isn’t hitting his weight and has just four extra-base hits and five RBIs, we’re not far removed from Cervelli showing he’s more than capable at the plate.
Through 108 at-bats last season, he had a .296 average with 14 extra-base hits and 24 RBIs. He was one of their best offensive players in the early part of the season.
Speaking before Tuesday’s game, manager Clint Hurdle talked about the five-day break for Cervelli and how he thought it would do the Pirates catcher some good.
“We worked on some things,” Hurdle said. “I think he found the time down very beneficial because they weren’t spa days. They were extensive work days.”
With no announced starter for Wednesday’s game, it seems logical that the Pirates would use an opener against the Rockies.
Hurdle said that’s one option the club is considering, although he played it coy in his pregame media session Tuesday, basically saying all options are on the table.
“We’re going to play tonight’s game and see where it takes us,” Hurdle said.
After Tuesday’s game, the Pirates said that rookie reliever Montana DuRapau would start Wednesday.
Ringing Bell
Monday’s news that Josh Bell was named the National League’s player of the week brought an enjoyable text message for Hurdle, who said he heard from Margaret Weller-Stargell, Willie Stargell’s widow.
“She wanted to make sure everybody knew how happy they were and proud of him,” Hurdle said.
Bell’s hot-hitting of late has only amplified the comparisons to Stargell, as the 14 home runs Bell hit through 44 games were the most for a Pirate during that time frame since Willie Stargell hit 15 in 1973.
There’s another hook here that Hurdle tackled pregame, one that involves Bell bouncing back from a poor 2018. After the season, when Bell hit just 12 home runs in 148 games, the Pirates first baseman and Hurdle had a talk.
The manager pointed out that maybe, just maybe, the struggles could lead to something big.
“He thought that was an interesting slant on it,” Hurdle said.
That led to some of the changes Bell made this offseason, and Hurdle has been pleasantly surprised not only by Bell’s overall power but also how his right-handed swing has developed.