Pittsburgh, Pa (WJAC) — Former Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli, who spent five seasons in a Bucs uniform, announced his retirement from Major League Baseball on Saturday.

In the heartfelt post made to Instagram, Cervelli said in part:

This game has brought me endless joy and happiness. I’ve received incredible support by so many, including countless teammates – my brothers in baseball – that I will carry in my heart forever.

"My journey in this game would be nothing without the exceptional people that have supported me along the way, personally and professionally. I thank God and my family for their unconditional love and support. To the Yankees, Pirates, Braves, Marlins, the MLB teams that gave a young kid from Venezuela a chance at this game, I am eternally grateful," Cervelli continued.

The veteran catcher joined the Pirates prior to the start of the 2015 season, but during the latter part of his career in a Bucs uniform, Cervelli was plagued by multiple concussions.

Cervelli was released by Pittsburgh in August of 2019, allowing him to sign with another team.

He would spend the remainder of the 2019 season with the Atlanta Braves, and then signed a one-year deal with Miami Marlins prior to the 2020 season.

In August of this year, Cervelli suffered his seventh concussion and was ruled out for the remainder of the season.

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