Yanks catcher Cervelli to wear special helmet

Mar 12, 2010 - 1:45 AM By HOWIE RUMBERG AP Sports Writer

TAMPA, Fla.(AP) -- Francisco Cervelli is choosing safety over style.

The Yankees' backup catcher will begin wearing a bulky batting helmet similar to one briefly worn last season by Mets star David Wright after he sustained a concussion.

Cervelli talked about the change before Thursday night's game against the Atlanta Braves was canceled because of rain.

Like Wright last summer, Cervelli was hit in the helmet by a 94 mph pitch that gave him a concussion - Cervelli's second since November. Cervelli was injured Saturday and was cleared by a neurologist Monday. He is scheduled to play his first game Friday, when the Yankees travel to Viera to face the Washington Nationals.

"It's ugly," Cervelli said, holding the helmet that has about an extra half-inch of padding. "It's not about how it looks, I've got to take care of myself."

He said Jorge Posada called him The Great Gazoo, the sharp-tongued martian with a huge green helmet on "The Flintstones."

Cervelli had said since he was knocked down that he would not wear the helmet but changed his mind when manager Joe Girardi suggested he try it.

"I think he'll try it and be OK with it," Girardi said. "I can't tell my players what helmet to use."

Said Cervelli: "They worry about everything. I have to stay healthy."

Minor leaguers are required the Rawlings S100 helmets this year. The change comes after several players missed time last season with concussions.

Wright wore the helmet for two games after coming off the disabled list, but quickly ditched it for his old one, saying it wasn't comfortable.

Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox is not a fan of the helmets.

"I think it's a deterrent to trying to hit and run," Cox said. "It's too big, bulky and cumbersome."

However, Cox, who still thinks helmets shouldn't be worn on the basepaths, understands why someone would wear the new model to protect against injury.

Cervelli tried it during batting practice Thursday and said it was heavier but he will adjust to it. He said he probably will switch to the standard helmet when he reaches first base and he will not wear it behind the plate.

"I've got to see how it feels in the game," he said. "This year I think I'm going to wear it the whole season."

Cervelli has been hit in the head while catching about 10 times and last sustained a concussion in November while in the Venezuelan winter league.

NOTES: Atlanta RHP Jair Jurrjens, scheduled to start Thursday, now will make his first spring start on Friday. Sideline by a sore shoulder, he will pitch the first two innings. Friday's scheduled starter Tommy Hanson will follow with four innings of work. ... New York's A.J. Burnett threw a three-inning simulated game in the cages after the rain washed out his start. Andy Pettitte still is set to start Friday. ... Yankees SS Derek Jeter was scratched because of flulike symptoms. Coach Tony Pena just returned after having the flu. ... Cox said Braves starter Derek Lowe, who popped a blister on his right big toe Wednesday, will try to throw a bullpen session Friday.