BUTLER TWP — Russell Martin is gone.

Francisco Cervelli and Chris Stewart will determine whether the Pittsburgh Pirates’ quality catching left with him.

Both catchers were among the Pirate contingent visiting the Butler County Youth Center as part of the Pirates Care-A-Van Tour last week.

“Russell pretty much played himself out of Pittsburgh,” Stewart said. “He had a good season, especially offensively, in his free agent year, was offered big money and took it.

“Nobody can blame him. But when I saw we traded for Cervelli, I was pretty excited.”

The Pirates acquired all three catchers from the New York Yankees. Martin was a free agent signing while Stewart and Cervelli came via trades.

Martin, of course, signed a five-year, $82 million deal with Toronto this off-season.

Cervelli and Stewart were teammates in New York.

“I know what Francisco brings to the table,” Stewart said. “He’s a quality catcher and a good hitter. And he’s a very intense player who loves the game.

“This may sound crazy, but if he stays healthy, he can bring everything to this team that Martin did.”

Staying healthy is the big question mark.

Though he hit .301 in 146 at bats with the Yankees last year, Cervelli has never caught more than 93 games in a major league season. He’s been shuttling between New York and the minor leagues since 2008.

“I’ve had a concussion, a broken wrist, other nagging injuries,” Cervelli said. “I do play hard. Maybe that’s part of it, I don’t know. I feel like all I need is a chance to play and I’m going to get that chance now.”

In 681 major league at bats, Cervelli has a .278 batting average with 10 homers and 92 RBI.

He will turn 29 in March.

One of the reasons he joined the Care-A-Van right away was to see different parts of the city.

“I’ve met so many people and they’re great,” Cervelli said. “I’m an energy guy. That’s what people will see when I’m in there. I play the game with passion.

“I’m in the process of getting to know the pitchers now. Chris will be a big help that way.”

Stewart hit a career-high .294 in 136 at bats in his first year with the Bucs last season. He expects his playing time to increase in 2015 as well.

“Russell was in excellent shape and he’s one of those guys who wanted to be in the lineup every day,” Stewart said. “He was one of our best clutch hitters, too.

“I’m training and working out this off-season the same way I do every year, to be physically and mentally prepared to catch 100-plus games.

“I plan on getting together with Francisco in the next couple of weeks to go over our pitchers with him. That will give him a head start heading into spring training.”

Cervelli believes a catcher’s ability to work with pitchers is critical to that position.

“Absolutely. That’s a big part of it,” he said. “The pitching staff here is good. There’s a good mix among the starters and in the bullpen.”

Cervelli spent 12 years in the Yankee organization. While he confessed to being “initially shocked” at being traded, Cervelli will settle into Pittsburgh nicely, Stewart predicts.

“There’s maybe a quarter of the media numbers in the locker room after home games here as there are in New York and no where near the attention on the road,” Stewart said. “It’s not a circus atmosphere in Pittsburgh. The fans are fantastic and it’s a good clubhouse.

“If he settles in and stays healthy, the relaxed atmosphere will help him. I think he can have a big year.”