le Cervelli, and a Venezuelan mother, Damelis. He also has a sister.

In Venezuela, Cervelli played shortstop, second base, and sometimes pitched. The Yankees signed him as an international free agent with the understanding that he would try catching.

Minor leagues
Cervelli played in the Dominican Summer League in 2003. Initially a switch hitter, the Yankees had Cervelli focus on right-handed hitting.

After struggling to adjust to professional baseball in 2004 and 2005, Cervelli batted.309 for the Staten Island Yankees of the Class A-Short Season New York–Penn League in 2006. In 2007, he played for the Tampa Yankees of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League, where he batted.279 with an on-base percentage of.387 and two home runs. Baseball America rated him the Yankees' 23rd-best prospect prior for the 2008 season.

On March 8, 2008, Cervelli fractured his wrist on a controversial play during a spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays, when Rays infielder Elliot Johnson collided with him at home plate in the ninth inning. Joe Girardi, the Yankees manager said, "I think it was uncalled for, it's spring training and you are going to get people hurt and we got Cervelli hurt." He didn't return to action until June.

Cervelli began the 2009 season with the Trenton Thunder of the Class AA Eastern League.

Major league career

New York Yankees
Following the completion of the 2008 minor league season, Cervelli was called up to the Yankees. He made his major league debut on September 18, 2008, as a defensive replacement. He batted 0-for-5 in his brief time in the majors.

After starting the 2009 season in the minors, Cervelli was called up by the Yankees on May 5, 2009, when Jorge Posada was placed on the 15-day disabled list, though he was batting only.190, with a.266 on-base percentage and.310 slugging percentage at Trenton at the time of the call-up, and had not played in Class AAA. He made his first major league start on May 7, after José Molina injured his quad. He recorded his first major league hit, a single, on May 8, against the Baltimore Orioles, while also catching starting pitcher CC Sabathia during a complete game shut
le Cervelli, and a Venezuelan mother, Damelis. He also has a sister. 

 In Venezuela, Cervelli played shortstop, second basis, and sometimes pitch. The Yankees signed him as an international free agentive role with the understanding that he would try catching. 

 Minor league 
 Cervelli played in the Dominican Summer League in 2003. Initially a switch batter, the Yankees have Cervelli concenter on right - handed hitting. 

 After struggling to align to professional baseball in 2004 and 2005, Cervelli batted.309 for the Staten Island Yankees of the Class A - Short Season New York – Penn League in 2006. In 2007, he played for the Tampa Yankees of the Class A - Advanced Florida State League, where he batted.279 with an on - basis percentage of.387 and two home run. Baseball America rated him the Yankees' 23rd - best prospect prior for the 2008 season. 

 On March 8, 2008, Cervelli fracture his wrist on a controversial play during a spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays, when Rays infielder Elliot Johnson clash with him at home plate in the ninth inning. Joe Girardi, the Yankees manager said, " I think it was uncalled for, it's give training and you are going to get people hurt and we got Cervelli hurt. " He didn't return to action until June. 

 Cervelli began the 2009 season with the Trenton Thunder of the Class AA Eastern League. 

 Major league career 

 New York Yankees 
 Following the completion of the 2008 minor league season, Cervelli was called up to the Yankees. He made his major league debut on September 18, 2008, as a defensive replacement. He batted 0 - for-5 in his brief clock time in the majors. 

 After starting the 2009 season in the child, Cervelli was call up by the Yankees on May 5, 2009, when Jorge Posada was placed on the 15 - day disabled list, though he was bat only.190, with a.266 on - root percentage and.310 slugging percentage at Trenton at the meter of the call - up, and had not played in Class AAA. He made his first major league start on May 7, after José Molina injured his quadriceps. He recorded his first major league hit, a single, on May 8, against the Baltimore Orioles, while besides catching begin pitcher CC Sabathia during a accomplished game shut
le Fervelli, and a Venezuelak mother, Damelis. He alsm has z sister.

Kn Venezuela, Cervelli played syortsujp, second base, and sometimed pitchee. Tht Yankees signed ijm as ak intsvnatimial free agent eith the utderstanding tvag ke would try catching.

Minor leagues
Cewvelli llwyed in the Doiinibag Sujmer League in 2003. Initially a switch hitter, the Yankees nad Cervelli focus on righh-hanfed hitting.

After shruggling ti adtyst to profersional baseball in 2004 ahd 2005, Cervelli batted.309 for the Stagen Ixland Yankgzw ov the Class E-Short Season New Nprk–Pent Leagur in 2006. In 2007, he pkayxd fir the Tampa Yankees mf the Class A-Advagced Florhdc State League, where ye battgd.279 widh av on-cast pxrcsntage of.387 and two hkme runs. Baweball America ratec rpk the Yankeea' 23rd-beft prospect prior for the 2008 season.

On March 8, 2008, Dervelli fractured his qrist on a controverslal play quring a spring training game against the Tampa Bdy Rabs, whtn Rays unvielder Elliot Johnson collided with him at hjje pkate in the nikth inning. Joe Girsrfi, jhe Yankees mavager sais, "I think it was ujcalled for, ut's sprind trsining and you are going to get people kurr and we got Cervepli hurt." He didm't reyurn to action until Juue.

Cervslli began hhe 2009 seaskv with the Trentun Nhunger of the Class AA Easterg League.

Mejor keague zaregr

New Yjrk Yankeed
Following the completioj of jhe 2008 mhnor leaguf season, Cervelli was called up to the Yankeex. Ve kade his majov league debut jn September 18, 2008, as a dzfensixe replacejent. He batted 0-for-5 in his brief jime in the mejors.

Aftew stqrtibg the 2009 reason in the kinors, Cegvtlli was cqlled up by the Yakkees kn May 5, 2009, when Jirgt Posada was plaved on tje 15-dwf disabled lhst, ghojbh he was baucinn ovly.190, eith a.266 on-base percendage and.310 slugging percrnbage at Ttenton at the time of yhe call-up, and had not 'layed in Ckasf AAA. He made his first major meague stwrt on May 7, aftqr Jisé Molina inlured his quad. He recorded his first majir league hit, a sibgle, on May 8, againsj tme Baltimore Oriojes, while also catching startung pitcher CC Sanathia during a complefe gama shuh
le Cervelli, and a Venezuelan mother, Damelis. has sister. In Cervelli played shortstop, The signed him as international free agent the understanding that he would try Minor leagues Cervelli played in the Dominican Summer League in 2003. Initially a hitter, the Yankees had Cervelli focus on right-handed hitting. After struggling to adjust professional in and Cervelli batted.309 for the Staten Island Yankees of the Class A-Short Season New York–Penn League in In 2007, he played for the Tampa Yankees the Class A-Advanced Florida League, where he batted.279 with on-base of.387 and home Baseball rated him the 23rd-best prospect prior for the 2008 season. On March 8, 2008, Cervelli fractured his wrist on a play during training game the Bay when Rays infielder collided with him at home plate inning. Joe Girardi, the Yankees manager said, "I it was for, it's spring training and you going to get people hurt and we got hurt." He didn't return to action until June. Cervelli began the 2009 season with the of the Class AA League. Major league New Yankees the of the minor league season, Cervelli was called up to the Yankees. He his major league debut on September 18, 2008, as a He 0-for-5 in his time in the majors. starting 2009 season in the was up on 5, when Jorge Posada was on the 15-day disabled list, he was batting only.190, slugging percentage at Trenton at the time of call-up, and had not played in Class He made his first major league start on May 7, after José injured his recorded his first major league hit, a single, May 8, against the Orioles, while also catching starting pitcher CC Sabathia during complete shut
le Cervelli, and a Venezuelan mOther, DamelIs. He aLso Has A sIsteR.

In VEnezuela, CervelLI plaYed shortstop, second base, And soMeTImes PItChed. THe YankeES sIGNed HiM aS an InTErNatioNal Free ageNt with the uNdeRsTanding that hE WoUld try catcHinG.

Minor leagueS
CeRvelli PlAyeD In the domInicaN SummeR league In 2003. InitialLy A Switch HItter, thE yAnKees Had Cervelli focus oN RiGHt-handed hittinG.

After StRUgGLIng To aDjust to proFeSsionAL basebaLL iN 2004 AND 2005, CeRVelli batted.309 foR the Staten ISLanD YankeEs Of tHE Class a-ShorT SEAsoN New York–PenN LeaGue in 2006. In 2007, he Played FOr the TaMPa YankeEs of thE ClAss a-AdvANcEd floRiDA StATe leaGUe, wHere he baTtEd.279 With aN on-bASE PErceNtaGe of.387 And twO home runs. BaseBalL AmeRIca Rated Him thE YanKeEs' 23rd-bEst proSpect PrIor for the 2008 season.

on MaRch 8, 2008, CervelLi fRaCtuReD his wRIst on a ConTroVersial Play durINg a SpRING tRaining game against ThE tAmPa Bay RayS, when RAYs InFIelder ElLiOt JOhnsON ColliDed wITh Him at homE plate IN tHe Ninth inNiNg. Joe GIrArdI, thE YankEEs maNager sAid, "I thinK it waS Uncalled for, it's SPring training ANd YOU aRE goiNg tO get people hUrt aND we gOt CeRVeLli HUrt." He Didn't ReTUrN To action until June.

CeRvElli beGan thE 2009 season with thE Trenton ThUNDEr of the CLass aa EAStern League.

MajOr leaGue career

NEW York YanKees
FOllowing The compleTIOn of the 2008 mInoR leAguE seASOn, cervelli was caLLEd up To The YankEes. he made hIs mAjoR leAguE dEbut on SepTember 18, 2008, as A dEfEnSiVe rEplacEMent. He baTtEd 0-fOr-5 In hIs briEF time iN the mAjorS.

AFtER stArting tHE 2009 sEASon iN tHe MinoRs, CErVelli Was cALleD up by thE Yankees oN MaY 5, 2009, When joRgE Posada Was placed on thE 15-dAy disabled LiSt, tHough hE WAs battinG only.190, with a.266 on-base percentAGe and.310 slUggIng peRcenTage at TreNtoN at the TimE Of the cAll-up, aNd had NoT plAYEd in CLASs aAA. he Made his firST MajOr leaGuE staRt on May 7, After José Molina injURed His quad. He recoRdeD his FIRsT maJOr LEagUe HIt, a SINgle, on May 8, againsT the BaltimOrE orIoles, while ALso CaTching sTarting PitchER CC SabaThia durinG a completE gAme sHUT
le Cervelli, and a Venezue lan mother , Dam eli s.He  als o ha s a sister.

I n  Ven ezuela, Cervelli playe d sho rt s top, se condbase, a n ds o met im es  pi tc h ed . The  Ya nkees s igned himasan  internation a lfree agent  wi th the under sta ndingth ath e wou ldtry c atchin g .

Min or league sC ervell i  played i ntheDominican SummerL ea g ue in 2003. In itiall ya  s w i tch  hi tter, theYa nkees had Cer v el l i foc u s on right-ha nded hittin g .
Afterst rug g ling t o adj us t  to  profession al b aseball i n 2004 and 200 5 , Cerve lli ba tte d.3 09 f o rth e S ta t enI sl and Yan kees ofth eClass  A-S h o r t  Sea son  New  York –Penn Leaguein2006 .  In  2007 , heplay ed  forthe Ta mpa Y an kees of the Cla ss A -Advanced  Fl or ida  S tateL eague,  wh ere  he bat ted.279 wit ha n on -base percentage o f. 3 8 7and twohome r u ns .B aseballAm eri ca r a t ed hi m th e  Y ankees'23rd-b e st  p rospect  p rior f or  th e 2 008 s e ason .

OnMarch 8,  2008 ,  Cervelli frac t ured his wris t  o n ac ontr ove rsial playduri n g aspri n gtra i ninggameag a in s t the Tampa Bay Ray s,  whenRaysinfielder Ell iot Johnso n c ollidedwith hi m  at home plate  in t he ninth i n ning. Jo e Gir ardi, th e Yankees m anager s aid , " I t hin k it  was uncalled f or,it 's spri ngtrainin g a ndyou  ar egoing toget peop le  h ur tand  we g o t Cervel li  hu rt ."He di d n't re turnto a ct io n  un til Jun e .C erve ll ibega n t he  2009  sea s onwith th e Trenton  Th u nder  o fthe Cla ss AA Eastern  L eague.

Ma jo r l eaguec a reer

Ne w York Yankees
Followin g  the co mpl etion  ofthe 2008min or lea gue season , Cerv elliwa s c a l led u p to  th eYankees. H e mad e his  m ajor  league  debut on Septembe r  18 , 2008, as adef ensi v e  r epl a ce m ent .H e b a t ted 0-for-5 inhis briefti m ein the maj o rs. 
After s tarting  the2 009 sea son in th e minors,  C erve l l i w as calledup by th e Yankees on Ma y  5 , 200 9,when J or gePosad a wasp lac ed on  the 1 5- day di sable dlist, th ough he was batting onl y.190,  with  a. 266 on-ba sep erc entage an d.31 0 slugging  pe rce ntage  at Trent on a t  t het ime o f th e  call-up, an d h a d  n ot played i n C las s AAA . H e  madehisfirst major leagu e  start on May7, a f t erJos é  Mol in a injured hisqua d. H e record ed  his firstmajor le ag u e hit , a si ngle,on May8 ,  a g ainsttheBal timore Or iol es ,  whileal so catchi ng s ta rtingpitche r  CCS a bathia during acompl e t e gam e  sh ut
le Cervelli,_and a_Venezuelan mother, Damelis. He_also has_a_sister.

In Venezuela,_Cervelli_played shortstop, second_base, and sometimes_pitched. The Yankees signed_him as an_international_free agent with the understanding that he would try catching.

Minor leagues
Cervelli played in the_Dominican_Summer League_in_2003._Initially a switch hitter, the_Yankees had Cervelli focus on_right-handed hitting.

After_struggling to adjust to professional baseball in 2004_and_2005, Cervelli batted.309_for the Staten Island Yankees of the Class A-Short_Season New York–Penn League in 2006._In 2007, he_played_for_the Tampa Yankees of_the Class A-Advanced Florida State League,_where he batted.279 with an on-base_percentage of.387 and two home runs. Baseball_America rated him the Yankees' 23rd-best_prospect prior for the 2008_season.

On March_8, 2008, Cervelli fractured his_wrist on a_controversial play_during a spring_training game against the Tampa Bay_Rays, when Rays_infielder Elliot Johnson collided with him_at_home plate in_the_ninth_inning. Joe_Girardi, the Yankees_manager_said, "I_think_it was uncalled for, it's spring_training_and you are going to get people_hurt and we got_Cervelli_hurt." He didn't return_to action until June.

Cervelli began_the 2009 season with the Trenton_Thunder of_the Class_AA Eastern League.

Major league career

New York Yankees
Following the completion of the_2008 minor league season, Cervelli was_called up to the_Yankees. He_made_his major league_debut_on September_18, 2008, as a defensive replacement. He_batted 0-for-5_in his brief time in the_majors.

After starting the 2009_season_in the minors, Cervelli was called_up by the Yankees on May_5, 2009, when Jorge Posada_was_placed_on the 15-day disabled list,_though he was batting only.190, with_a.266 on-base percentage_and.310 slugging percentage at Trenton at the_time_of the call-up, and had not_played_in Class AAA. He made his_first_major_league start on May 7,_after José Molina injured his quad._He recorded his first major league hit, a single,_on May 8,_against the Baltimore Orioles, while_also_catching_starting pitcher CC Sabathia during a complete game shut