Washington Nationals catcher Rene Rivera is the newest member of the roster, as he was signed to a major league contract Friday. Rivera replaces Starlin Castro, who is out pending a league investigation into an accusation of domestic violence. He joins Tres Barrera as the only two active backstops, with Yan Gomes and Alex Avila on the injured list. Rivera figures to receive plenty of playing time, but he is known more for his defensive acumen than any contributions at the plate. In 55 at-bats this season, he has slashed .236/.300/.400 with two home runs. He does not figure to be a fantasy contributor, unless there are some truly catcher-desperate fantasy managers out there.
Rene Rivera Placed On Injured List With Elbow Injury
New York Mets catcher Rene Rivera has a hyperextended left elbow that will require a stint on the 10-day injured list. The team already has Wilson Ramos as its primary catcher, with Tomas Nido able to fill in as a backup. To take Riveras spot on the roster, right-handed pitcher Franklyn Kilome has been recalled from the team's alternate training site. Known for his defensive acumen, Rivera holds essentially no fantasy value during the shortened 2020 campaign, as his last relevant offensive production came in 2017.
The Atlanta Braves claimed catcher Rene Rivera off waivers from the Angels on Wednesday. Rivera will be the third catcher behind Kurt Suzuki and Tyler Flowers, so he won't see much, if any, playing time for the Braves. The 35-year-old hit .244 with four home runs and 11 RBI in 30 games with the Halos this year.
The Los Angeles Angels activated catcher Rene Rivera (knee) from the 60-day disabled list on Wednesday and optioned catcher Jose Briceno to the minors in a corresponding move. Rivera has been out since May 16 but is right back in the starting lineup on Wednesday. He is hitting .259 with three home runs and 10 RBI in just 54 at-bats on the season. Expect him to share time with Francisco Arcia behind the dish. Rivera is merely a consideration in two-catcher leagues.
Los Angeles Angels catcher Rene Rivera (knee) expects to begin a rehab assignment on Tuesday with Single-A Inland Empire. Rivera has been on the DL since May 20 after having surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. The catcher was hitting .259 with three home runs and 10 RBI prior to going on the DL. With Francisco Arcia and Jose Briceno both playing well, the Angels will need to make a decision with Rivera once he is healthy. None of the trio figure to have much fantasy relevance outside of deep or two-catcher formats going forward.
The Los Angeles Angels will start first baseman Luis Valbuena and catcher Rene Rivera Wednesday. Designated hitter Shohei Ohtani receives an off day after pitching Tuesday night and catcher Martin Maldonado gets a rest after catching three straight days. Rivera has never registered a hit against Astros starter Justin Verlander in seven plate appearances but has a .348 batting average and one home run in 26 plate appearances this season. Valbuena has also struggled against Verlander with a .100 average in 36 PAs but is hitting .289 with one HR on the road this season. We are probably avoiding both in DFS Wednesday, but Rivera's good start to the season does make him a potential lineup filler at a cheap price.
Free-agent catcher Rene Rivera signed with the Los Angeles Angels on a one-year, $2.8 million contract. The financial terms come from beat writer Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. Rivera posted a decent .736 OPS with 10 home runs in 74 games last season between the Mets and Cubs and will serve as the primary backup to Angels starting catcher Martin Maldonado in 2018. It should be a very strong defensive duo, with Maldonado coming off a Gold Glove season and Rivera carrying an excellent reputation behind the plate.
Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports has reported that the Texas Rangers are considering free-agent catcher Rene Rivera as an option for their backup catcher behind Robinson Chirinos. Rivera spent most of the year with the Mets before being dealt to the Cubs. He is known more for his defense but had a solid year with the bat, hitting .252 with 10 home runs in 218 at-bats. Heyman also mentions the Twins, Blue Jays and Nationals as potential targets for Rivera.
Chicago Cubs catcher/outfielder Willson Contreras will rest Wednesday evening. Rene Rivera will handle the backstop tonight and will face Michael Wacha. He is an average option in daily leagues tonight. Contreras should be back in the lineup Thursday unless the Cubs clinch the division tonight and manager Joe Maddon decides to rest his regulars.
Chicago Cubs catcher Rene Rivera will start his third game in four days for the club this afternoon. Rivera is four for his last seven and seems to be stealing time from Alex Avila. He has a nice matchup today versus Lucas Sims who enters the game with a 4.41 ERA.
