Francisco Cervelli’s foot injury could open the door for Jesus Montero

March 4, 2011

Francisco Cervelli’s foot injury could open the door for Jesus Montero

Spring training position battles are never fun when one player is forced to concede due to an injury, but such a scenario might be the case with the Yankees backup catcher role. Francisco Cervelli fouled a ball off his foot Wednesday, and after a couple of tests the Yankees don’t know exactly how bad it is. It could be a bruise, but it also could be a hairline fracture.

If it’s the latter, it’s good news for Jesus Montero.

UPDATE: It was the latter. Cervelli is out four to eight weeks.

Montero is just 1-for-8 with an RBI in three games thus far, but teammates have seen improvement with his glove. One MLB scout said his bat is capable of producing 35 homers — unheard of for a catcher these days — so if he can make any progress defensively the Yankees could really have something special.

Going back to the matter at hand, would it really be a good thing if Montero starts 2011 as a backup? My plan all along has been for him to start in Scranton and get regular at-bats.

But if an injury makes Montero the best man for the backup job, I don’t think the Yankees will hesitate to use him. Perhaps, if they are really worried about his development, they’ll give him a few extra at-bats as a DH or pinch hitter on days he’s not catching.

Would a serious injury to Cervelli be a good thing for Montero’s development?

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jerry · 734 weeks ago

o heck yea lenny!!! that would be awesome if montero gets to show the majors what his bat can do and maybe the mariners would be open to trading king felix for him..lol

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Carmine · 734 weeks ago

that would be a huge mistake. Montero with his bat and now a much better glove is to valuable to let go. When are my fellow yankee fans going to learn.

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Lenny Neslin 70p · 734 weeks ago

Montero for Felix straight up right now? The Mariners would take all of two seconds to refuse that trade. Felix is a proven ace and isn't 24 years old yet. Montero could be more valuable than Felix down the line, but right now Felix's value is much higher.

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Dave · 734 weeks ago

Don't trade Montero for Felix! Trade other people for Felix! This may be hasty though because the Yankees have a ton of good young catching prospects, 3 of which have a better glove than Montero, so if we could get a pitcher like Felix for just Montero and maybe one arm I'd consider it. Otherwise no way!

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Dave · 734 weeks ago

Yeah I saw the foul ball and it really looked like it hurt. Iv been there it's not fun lol they are saying he's out for a month now. Hopefully Russel Martin will stay healthy and will be able to do the bulk of the catching. I still haven't decided whether It'd be better for Montero to be sitting on the big club's bench or playing everyday in AAA. If he's the back up he gets to learn and experience but he won't get the ABs. If we plan on keeping his as a long term catcher I'd like to see him up, if the plan is to move him to another place in the field I think he should stay down and get the swings in.

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petervanmark 1p · 734 weeks ago

It's tough for Cervelli who is technically the backup catcher. But spring training is where guys can prove themselves. If Montero can show that he has what it takes to come up to the majors and play at a level the Yankees are looking for-good for him. Don't get me wrong, I really like Cervelli, but the coaches and managers need to do what they have to to put the right guys on the field to win a World Series.
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March 4, 2011