Cervelli is cleared to play in rehab games

ST LOUIS — A bit of good news for the Pirates Saturday when the team announced that catcher Francisco Cervelli will start a rehabilitation assignment Sunday with Class AA Altoona.

Cervelli has been out of the Pirates lineup since May 25, when he suffered his sixth recorded concussion since 2011.

“There’s not a lot from a medical perspective — athletic training, physical therapy, strength and conditioning — that he needs to do,” Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said.

Cervelli and the Pirates were waiting for clearance from Major League Baseball and the players union for him to return. Cervelli caught bullpen sessions last week from Keone Kela.

“Our first focus getting him back in play. No expectations,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said.

Cervelli will play games in Altoona and eventually with Class AAA Indianapolis. MLB rules say Cervelli’s rehab assignment can last up to 20 days.

“He’s going to need the time,” Hurdle said. “We’ll see where it can take him.”

Cervelli had one home run, five RBIs and a .193 batting average this season. In his place, Jacob Stallings is hitting .271 with 3 home runs and 6 RBIs in his place. Elias Diaz has 1 homer and 22 RBIs and is hitting. 252.

Once the roster expands to 40 Sept. 1, it will be easier to carry three catchers. The Pirates also have to evaluate how much playing time to give Cervelli, who is on an expiring contract. Diaz and Stallings are the future at catcher barring an offseason roster move.

Fantasy becomes reality

The first time Pirates reliever Geoff Hartlieb stepped on the field at Busch Stadium was when he was 11 years old and playing for a Highland, Ill., parks and recreation team. Much as youth teams do at PNC Park, the youngsters walked around the outfield before a game and waved to players.

Hartlieb couldn’t imagine then that 14 years later as 25year-old he would be playing at the ballpark that was 30 minutes from his house.

“We were huge Cardinals fans,” Hartlieb said. “I probably came to over 100 games here when I was growing up.”

Geoff’s father Chris stood on the field during batting practice Friday wearing his son’s gray Pirates jersey.

“I never thought in my wildest dreams I would’ve imagined myself wearing anything but a Cardinals jersey in here,” Chris Hartlieb told the Post-Gazette. “But my son is a Pirate so I have to represent for my son.”

Hartlieb recorded the final two outs in the eighth inning after Richard Rodriguez allowed three runs in the loss.