PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates are hoping that one decision will get both of their catchers back on track at the plate.

After starting 30 of Pittsburgh’s first 40 games, Francisco Cervelli sat out last weekend as the Bucs won a four-game series in San Diego. Elias Diaz started all four games at Petco Park before giving way to Cervelli, who got the nod in Tuesday’s 5-0 loss against the Rockies at PNC Park, though he exited after five innings due to an upper chest contusion.

Cervelli was struck by a foul tip in the top of the fifth, then he lined a single to right in his next at-bat. Diaz replaced him behind the plate in the sixth inning. The Pirates announced that Cervelli left the game as a precaution.

Last year, Cervelli and Diaz were the most productive catching tandem in the Majors as they combined for 22 homers and 91 RBIs. Although pitchers continue to praise their work behind the plate, both struggled offensively out of the gate this season.

Manager Clint Hurdle gave Cervelli five straight days off -- the long weekend in San Diego, plus Monday’s scheduled off-day at home. But, Hurdle noted, “They weren’t spa days. They were extensive work days.”

The veteran catcher entered Tuesday’s game with a .179/.269/.236 slash line in his first 120 plate appearances this season. During his downtime, Cervelli spent time in the cage and on the field with Pittsburgh’s hitting coaches. He went through drills, hit high-velocity and high-spin pitches off a machine and worked to get himself in a good place. Pregame work is one thing, but in-game production is another.

“We’re going to see where he can take it,” Hurdle said. “Looking forward to it.”

It was also important for the Pirates to give Diaz some consistent playing time. After being set back by a virus during Spring Training, Diaz began the season on the injured list. He didn’t make his season debut in Pittsburgh until April 22, and he started only eight games prior to Thursday. The confluence of factors -- his late start, his slump, Cervelli getting most of the playing time -- made it difficult for Diaz to settle in.

He appeared to do that against the Padres, however, going 8-for-16 at the plate while catching three victories. He guided a patchwork pitching staff -- led by opener Montana DuRapau -- to a 7-2 win Saturday.

“It was just getting him back in play for his own benefit more than anybody else’s, because the playing time was delayed coming out of the spring; somewhat of a shortened Spring Training, there weren’t a lot of bundled games early for him,” Hurdle said. “This was important for him, just as much as it was for the pitchers syncing up with him again.”

Special message

Josh Bell is starting to receive national attention for his incredible start, as his National League Player of the Week Award indicates. He’s also getting recognition from the family of Pirates royalty.

Hurdle said he received a text message recently from Margaret Weller-Stargell, the widow of Hall of Famer Willie Stargell.

“She wanted to make sure everybody knew how happy they were and proud of [Bell], because they see the other side of him as well,” Hurdle said.

Bell has done some work with the Willie Stargell Foundation, and his towering home runs -- one of them even described as “Stargell-ian” -- might remind Pittsburgh fans of the man himself. Bell hit 14 homers in the Pirates’ first 44 games, the most in franchise history since Stargell bashed 15 homers through 44 games in 1973.

So how did Hurdle respond?

“I bet Big Willie’s probably smiling a little bit down on Josh right now,” he said.

Around the horn

• Left fielder Corey Dickerson, sidelined since April 4 due to a right strained shoulder, was scheduled to throw to bases Tuesday.

• Gregory Polanco was scratched from Tuesday’s lineup due to finger discomfort, which he sustained after jamming his left hand on a dive back to the first-base bag Sunday in San Diego. Hurdle described Polanco's status as "day to day."

• After being scratched from his scheduled start Sunday, Mitch Keller, the Pirates' top prospect per MLB Pipeline, got back on the mound Tuesday night for Triple-A Indianapolis and made one of his best starts of the season. Keller allowed one run on six hits and one walk while striking out six over a season-high seven innings.