Francisco Cervelli Likely To Come Off Disabled List Early Next Week

Mar 18, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli (29) triples during the third inning against the Boston Red Sox at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

New York Yankees’ catcher Francisco Cervelli was eligible to come off the disabled list Friday, but the Yankees will most likely wait to bring him up.  Manager Joe Girardi had this to say Thursday night: “My guess is he won’t be (in Oakland) tomorrow…It might be Monday or Tuesday.” Girardi told Jorge Castillo of the Star Ledger. The Yankees are in Oakland for a series against the A’s, and then will return to New York to face the first place Toronto Blue Jays, which could be a showdown for control of the AL East. The Yankees have now won 4 in a row, and are closing in on the Blue Jays with each passing day.

Cervelli has appeared in 8 rehab games in the minors, and although he has struggled, Joe Girardi doesn’t seem worried. “We feel that he’s pretty healthy here and that’s a great sign,” Girardi said.  To make room for Cervelli, the Yankees will have to send down John Ryan Murphy, who has impressed this year, hitting .310 in 61 at-bats. But Cervelli is a veteran who is out of options, which means he would need to be placed on, and clear waivers if the Yankees wanted to move him to the minors. Murphy however, does have options and would get valuable, everyday playing time at the Triple-A level.

"“I don’t think it ever hurts anyone to play everyday, to develop,” said Girardi “And I think you get in a rhythm more, you can learn more about yourself physically, I think, sometimes if you’re playing to be an everyday catcher. I think that’s important to do, to learn how to handle fatigue, all those different types of things.”"

Cervelli is a career .269 hitter, and will return to his role as a solid backup for Brian McCann.

This is just another sign of the Yankees getting healthier every day.