The Marlins announced that catcher Francisco Cervelli will be placed on the seven-day concussion protocol injured list. A corresponding move will be made prior to tomorrow’s game. Cervelli started for Miami tonight in the second game of its doubleheader with the Nationals, though Cervelli was replaced by Jorge Alfaro prior to the start of the third inning.
While no concussion news is good, tonight’s news is particularly troubling due to Cervelli’s long history with such injuries. This is at least the seventh concussion Cervelli has suffered during his career, and it was less than 14 months ago that Cervelli seemed to intimate that he was done with catching, though he rather emphatically walked back that statement a few days later. Even if Cervelli’s symptoms (hopefully) subside quickly this time, one would imagine the Marlins might keep him out of action for longer than the seven-day minimum just to make absolutely sure Cervelli is ready, given all the past concussions on his record.
Cervelli inked a one-year, $2MM deal with Miami last offseason to provide some more experience at catcher, and since Alfaro was only activated from the IL on Friday, Cervelli has been a key player both behind the plate and at the plate. Entering Saturday, Cervelli had a .250/.361/.462 slash line and three home runs over 61 plate appearances.
Should Cervelli miss an extended amount of time, the Marlins don’t have a ton of depth behind Alfardo. Chad Wallach is also on the IL, while four other catchers in Miami’s player pool (Will Banfield, Santiago Chavez, Julian Leon, and Brian Navarreto) don’t have any Major League experience.
Wow another concussion for Cervelli. Hang em up, dude.
reminds me of Jordan Reed in football…cringe everytime you hear they have another concussion and hope they decide to hang-em up this time. Their own lives to live however…
They should rename the 7 day concussion IL the “Cervelli List.” That man lives on that list. Really hope it’s not too bad this time and he can finish his career without too much damage the rest of his life. Concussions are no joke.
Jeez, not again. I hope, for his sake, that he hangs em up this time.
He loves the game so much and was playing decently this year but he reminds me of an old football player mentality.
What I do not understand is why he is far and away the most affected by this contact. Is he the only catcher getting foul tips off his head?
After 7, you gotta think his brain is soft like cotton candy. Poor guy. Quit already.
I’ve had 4, and I can tell you that it will definitely affect your memory. I’m not old, but I can’t remember what I did yesterday, often. I have to put everything in my phone reminders when I make plans, or I will forget.
Frankie, Buddy…you’ve made millions and dated beauty pageant winners. It’s been a good run.
Liquidizing your gray matter to play out the string with the Marlins is not worth it.
How about some “That’s Amore” for your brain, Man?
Don’t you remember Major League? As much as the movie made light of things, it really showed accurately the all too true story how it can be hard for a vet to hang em up.
That situation was the common shot knees, but you do something every day from 6 or 8 years old, it’s really hard to just stop.
Sure, games aren’t every day, but training, videos, it’s a lifestyle that fills a huge chunk of your life. Easy to say you made your money, move on. Reality has to be a lot different for him when he feels he has something left in the tank.
ASF- Great point.Just read the last tsentence of Ball Four which I first did when I was 18 years old 49 years ago and it comes out loud and clear for those of us who have played and loved the game..
Scary. He’s a good guy, hopefully he recovers and hangs ’em up.
How did it occur? MLBTR is terrible about announcing an injury but saying nothing of how it happened. HBP, home plate collision, collision with another player, fall out of bed???
It was just…swinging. He had a hard swing, and looked awkward and tried to stretch out his jaw. He was replaced the next inning.
Oh wow. Such a shame but he really needs to retire if it’s to that point.. That’s scary.
Thanks.
Fouled the ball into the side of face, yes.
Eek this is rough for Cervelli. I thought he was close to retiring because of all the concussions before signing with Miami. This may be the straw that breaks the camels back
hope he does what’s best for him, retirement or otherwise. after all that’s not for us to decide.
Obviously not our decision but in this case perhaps he needs some advising (he should listen to his doctors who are are almost certainly telling him to hang it up). 7 concussions! Sounds pretty serious and major concern is warranted. At the very least he needs to be done with catching.
Too bad they already DFA’d Lavarnway.
Did Russell Martin finally decide if he “wants to play” yet or is he still thinking about it after all this time?
Would love to see Russell Martin replace Cervelli in Miami after Cervelli replace Martin in Pittsburgh.
My god, I feel so bad for him. Please just hang them up before perminant damage is done.
Hate to see this happen to someone. I hope he is getting good advice for his future.
How did he do it this time? Call to the facemask? Poor guy takes a beating
Cisco has made almost $40M in his career, has a full MLB pension coming his way one day, and premier-level lifetime medical coverage the day he retires. Retire! He can still play, but multiple concussions can lead to long-term health problems. He’s concussion prone, getting this one swinging the bat. Become a coach if he wants to remain in the game.