58 Jacob Stallings C

Stallings (neck) John Perrotto of DKPittsburghSports.com with Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday.

Stallings is dealing with a cervical neck strain. It's not clear when he's expected to return, but he won't have a major-league roster spot to come back to, as Elias Diaz is back as the backup catcher after missing an extended period due to illness.

Stallings (neck) was cleared to resume light baseball activities Wednesday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Stallings was diagnosed with cervical neck strain and was placed on the 10-day injured list over the weekend. The transaction coincided with fellow catcher Elias Diaz's (illness) activation from the IL, so Stallings with be a clear No. 3 in the organizational pecking order at the position once he's healthy again.

Stallings was placed on the 10-day injured list with a cervical neck strain Sunday.

Stallings is out of options, so his move to the injured list allows the Pirates to activate Elias Diaz (illness) without needing to designate him for assignment. It's unclear how seriously he's injured or when he's expected to return.

Stallings isn't in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Tigers.

The Pirates made liberal use of No. 2 catcher Elias Diaz last season, but Stallings hasn't been extended the same opportunity while Diaz has been stuck on the injured list all season while working back from an illness. He'll remain on the bench for the third straight game while top backstop Francisco Cervelli sticks in the lineup. Stallings has drawn just two starts through the PIrates' first 15 contests.

Stallings (neck) is listed as an available bench option for Saturday's split-squad Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Jason Delay is also on hand as another reserve backstop, but the fact that Stallings will dress for the exhibition suggests the stiff neck that he first experienced Wednesday is no longer much of a concern. With Elias Diaz (illness) slated to open the season on the injured list, Stallings is poised to break camp as the top backup to No. 1 catcher Francisco Cervelli.