PHILADELPHIA _ Francisco Cervelli rejoined the Pirates' active roster Monday after his second stint this month on the seven-day concussion disabled list.
The Pirates activated Cervelli after 13 days out of action (the DL trip was backdated to June 20) and optioned reliever Edgar Santana to Triple-A Indianapolis. Once again, they are carrying three catchers.
"It makes the most sense right now with a guy coming off the concussion list," manager Clint Hurdle said. "Give us some coverage. We're anticipating getting Francisco out there every other day through this finish to the first half."
Hurdle said the Pirates could re-evaluate their bench before the weekend series against the Cubs in Chicago if Cervelli makes it through Monday and Wednesday's games without incident.
Cervelli went on the DL June 7 after a foul ball hit his mask in Baltimore. He came back a week later, but his symptoms returned the following week.
"I'm good," Cervelli said Monday. "Feeling good, ready to play."
Cervelli has also dealt with sinus issues dating to late May but said Monday the concussion did not affect them.
"Some days the nose is not right and that's it," he said. "But I haven't felt anything in a week, so I feel much better."
Cervelli is hitting .250 with a .345 on-base percentage and a .381 slugging percentage.
Santana, a 25-year-old right-hander who debuted in June, allowed six runs, five earned, and 10 hits in 7 2/3 innings. He struck out 12.
"As I shared with Edgar in here (Monday), this is just another part of the story," Hurdle said. "This isn't the end of the story.
"We believe the skill set will play up here. Now it's just going back there and developing some more consistency."
