Rivera announced his retirement from baseball Friday.
After 12 seasons in the big leagues with 10 clubs, the 39-year-old backstop officially hangs up his cleats. Rivera finishes his career with a .221/.273/.354 slash line alongside 43 home runs and 176 RBI.
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Rene Rivera: Released by Nationals
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The Nationals released Rivera (elbow) on Saturday, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.
Rivera went 3-for-14 in four games after signing with the Nationals on July 16. The catcher had been on the 10-day injured list and it's unclear when he'll be ready to play again, though that may be moot if no team signs him.
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Nationals' Rene Rivera: Placed on IL with elbow contusion
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Rivera was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a right elbow contusion, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.
Rivera last played Sunday against the Cubs, so it seems likely that he suffered the elbow injury at some point during that game. He'll be eligible to come off the injured list Aug. 12 against the Mets, though it's not clear at this point how long he may need to recover. Fellow catcher Riley Adams was recalled from Triple-A Rochester in a corresponding roster move.
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Nationals' Rene Rivera: Not in Friday's lineup
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Rivera isn't starting Friday against the Cubs, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Rivera could see additional playing time after Yan Gomes was traded away Friday, but he'll remain out of the lineup for the series opener against the Cubs. Tres Barrera will start at catcher and bat sixth.
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Nationals' Rene Rivera: Sits after consecutive starts
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Rivera is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.
After signing with Washington on Friday, Rivera picked up starts at catcher in both of the first two games of the series, going 2-for-8. Rivera will sit Sunday in favor of Tres Barrera, but the Nationals could deploy the two in a timeshare at the position until one of Yan Gomes (oblique) or Alex Avila (calf) returns from the injured list.
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Nationals' Rene Rivera: Joins Washington
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Rivera agreed to a major-league deal with the Nationals on Friday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
The veteran catcher elected free agency after being designated for assignment by Cleveland in early July, but he'll join a new team after being a free agent for a couple weeks. Yan Gomes (oblique) and Alex Avila (calf) are both on the injured list, so Rivera will split time behind the plate with Tres Barrera.
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Indians' Rene Rivera: Designated for assignment
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Cleveland designated Rivera for assignment Saturday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
The 37-year-old loses his spot on the 40-man roster as Roberto Perez (finger) is activated from the 60-day injured list. Offensively, Rivera has outperformed fellow catcher Austin Hedges, but a .236 average is still unremarkable and not enough to keep him around as Perez's backup.
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Indians' Rene Rivera: Swats homer in loss
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Rivera went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 8-2 loss to the Twins.
Rivera went deep to lead off the third and got Cleveland on the board with their first run. He has hit two homers this year, both coming in two of his last three starts. The 37-year-old backstop is slashing .245/.310/.415 with five extra-base hits, nine RBI, six runs scored and a 4:22 BB:K over 61 plate appearances. He is second in the pecking order behind Austin Hedges and has appeared in just three games since June 19. Given his lack of volume, Rivera can really only be considered as a streaming option based on if he's starting and what his matchups are.
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Indians' Rene Rivera: Moves back to No. 2 role
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Rivera is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Twins.
Austin Hedges (concussion) will be behind the plate Thursday in his return from the 7-day injured list, effectively ending Rivera's one-week run atop the depth chart. Rivera caught three of the last five games for Cleveland, going 4-for-12 with a home run, four RBI and an additional run.
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Indians' Rene Rivera: Not starting Sunday
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Rivera is out of the lineup Sunday against the Pirates.
Rivera went 4-for-8 with a homer, four RBI and an additional run scored over the first two games of the series, but he'll receive the day off for the finale. Ryan Lavarnway will work behind the plate for Cleveland.
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Indians' Rene Rivera: Three hits in Friday's loss
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Rivera went 3-for-4 with a run scored and three RBI in Friday's 11-10 loss to the Pirates.
All three hits were singles, but it was still Rivera's first multi-hit performance since he also banged out three hits back on May 6, and the three RBI were a season high. The 37-year-old catcher is expected to split time behind the dish with Ryan Lavarnway while Austin Hedges (concussion) and Roberto Perez (finger) are sidelined.
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Indians' Rene Rivera: Not in Thursday's lineup
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Rivera isn't starting Thursday against Baltimore.
Rivera could see a slight uptick in playing time in the near future after Austin Hedges (concussion) was placed on the 7-day injured list Thursday. However, Ryan Lavarnway will start behind the dish and bat sixth in the series finale against the Orioles.
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Indians' Rene Rivera: Plates two runs
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Rivera went 1-for-3 with a double, two RBI and a walk in Saturday's extra-inning win over the Mariners.
Rivera played a key role in Saturday's win, as he smacked a two-run double in the bottom of the ninth that forced extra innings. The backstop ended a two-game hitless streak but hasn't been a consistent source of offense for Cleveland, as he's recorded just eight hits in 33 at-bats and only has one multi-hit game all season long.
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Indians' Rene Rivera: Smacks RBI double
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Rivera went 1-for-2 with an RBI double and a run scored in a 6-5 win over Toronto in Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader.
The catcher sparked Cleveland's rally with an RBI double in the sixth inning to plate Yu Chang. Rivera then scored the team's second run on an Amed Rosario single. Through 25 plate appearances, Rivera has two doubles, two RBI, two runs scored and no home runs. The backup catcher isn't expected to challenge Austin Hedges for a larger share of playing time.
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Indians' Rene Rivera: Tallies three hits Thursday
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Rivera went 3-for-4 with a double and a run in a 4-0 win over the Royals on Thursday.
Rivera made his season debut Thursday for Cleveland, replacing the injured Roberto Perez (finger) on the active roster. The veteran catcher batted eighth, providing three hits and a run in the bottom of the lineup. Now 37 years old, Rivera is just a temporary replacement who's not known for his offense.
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Indians' Rene Rivera: Called up Wednesday
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Rivera was called up prior to Wednesday's game against the Royals, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.
Roberto Perez was placed on the 10-day injured list with a fractured right ring finger, so Rivera will get into the catching mix with Austin Hedges. Perez is known for his glove more than his bat, so he shouldn't be seen as a strong fantasy option in most formats.
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Indians' Rene Rivera: Finds work with Cleveland
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Rivera (elbow) signed a minor-league contract with Cleveland on Wednesday.
Rivera appeared in two games for the Mets in 2020 before developing a bone spur in his left elbow in late July and requiring season-ending surgery. The 37-year-old appears to be healthy now, and he'll add some depth at catcher for his new organization. Rivera will report to Cleveland's alternate site and will await a potential call-up in the event Roberto Perez or Austin Hedges is forced to miss time at any point in 2021.
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Mets' Rene Rivera: Slated to undergo surgery
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Rivera will undergo surgery Wednesday to remove a bone spur from his left elbow, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Rivera was transferred to the 45-day injured list Monday, and he should miss the rest of the season since the procedure usually carries a 6-to-8 week recovery timetable. The 37-year-old appeared in just two major-league games this season, going 1-for-4 with three strikeouts.
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Mets' Rene Rivera: Transferred to 45-day IL
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Rivera (elbow) was transferred to the 45-day injured list Monday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Rivera has been on the injured list with a hyperextended left elbow since the end of July, and his placement on the 45-day injured list will clear a spot on the active roster. While the catcher will miss significant time, it's unclear whether he'll be healthy by the end of the season. Even if he does return to full health, he's unlikely to see significant playing time in the majors.
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Mets' Rene Rivera: Placed on injured list
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Rivera landed on the injured list with a hyperextended left elbow Friday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.
Rivera's absence won't be a major one for the Mets, as he's started just once this season. Franklyn Kilome was recalled to take his place on the roster.
