Today, the Braves made the Francisco Cervelli signing official and added him to the active roster for tonight’s game against the Mets. In a corresponding move, they sent Alex Jackson back to Gwinnett.
The #Braves today signed C Francisco Cervelli to a major league contract and optioned C Alex Jackson to @GoStripers. In order to make room on the 40-man roster, the club transferred LHP Grant Dayton to the 60-day injured list. Cervelli will be active tonight and wear No. 45.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 24, 2019
Jackson caught last night for Mike Foltynewicz and did a good job, but there is no question Cervelli is an upgrade at this point in his career.
The former Pittsburgh Pirate suffered his sixth concussion back in May, and it looked like he was contemplating quitting catching and trying to switch to another position. However, he took to his Instagram to inform the world that wasn’t the case.
Cervelli requested release from the Pirates in hopes of joining a contender. Eventually, Pittsburgh obliged, and the Braves were the perfect landing spot for him once he cleared waivers. Brian McCann recently hit the 10-day IL, and Tyler Flowers has been unproductive for months now. We know when McCann is back healthy he will be on the playoff roster, but I think Cervelli has a real chance at pushing Flowers as the second catcher. He’s a career .269 hitter that had an 2.6 bWAR and .809 OPS in 104 games last season.