Keeping track of the day's minor moves…
- The Red Sox signed catcher Mike Rivera, according to the Long Island Ducks' official website. Rivera had been playing with the independent team after being released by the Brewers during Spring Training. The 35-year-old catcher has 605 plate appearances over nine Major League seasons, mostly with Milwaukee.
- The Rangers released Justin Miller, Anthony Andro of FOXSportsSouthwest tweets. The right-hander has a partial tear of his right UCL.
- The Orioles released right-hander Ross Wolf, MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli tweets. Wolf, 29, posted a 4.76 ERA with 6.7 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9 in 73 2/3 innings of relief for Houston's top affiliate last year.
- The Phillies released Joe Thurston, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets. Thurston signed with the Phillies last month after the Astros released him late in Spring Training. The 32-year-old has a .226/.305/.323 line in 384 MLB plate appearances with the Dodgers, Phillies, Red Sox, Cardinals and Marlins. He has appeared in one MLB game since 2009.
Sox could use him for the bullpen
Joe Thurston carried the USA in the 2011 Pan Am games. I hope he sees the diamond as a professional again. I heard that he was by far not only the leader with the bat but carried a great sense of humor in the dugout. The USA brought home Silver.
Billy Hall is of as much use as Thurston, which equals.. Very, very little.. This time of the season players like Hall and Thurston will be out there and many over evaluating the amount of use that they have.
Many have use in the Independent, or NPB leagues at best and are better of retiring or becoming AAAA retreads.
Curious “sit on Pawtucket bench” sign by Boston to take Expo’s place.. They already had career minor leaguer Matt Spring at AA and could have just moved him to Pawtucket to do the same.. Sit on the bench.. Called up Ibarra, who is too old for high A ball anyway to backup at catcher and DH some, as he is really a legit prospect at AA and if Boston needed an emergency catcher? Called up Lavarnway.
Was no need to sign some 35YO career minor leaguer like Rivera, especially when catcher is one position, even with Expo gone they have plenty of prospects at.
Hopefully Mike Rivera is related to Mariono cuz we need a Relief pitcher
made me imagine Rivera using the ‘U mad bro?’ meme on Jason Varitek
the red sox thought they signed mariano. boy will they be surprised when mike shows up