Angels catcher Rene Rivera has undergone surgery to repair a torn meniscus, the club announced (h/t Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register, on Twitter). He’s expected to miss four to six weeks of action.
Rivera inked a one-year, $2.8MM deal with the Halos over the winter. Long valued for his glovework, he has been a force at the plate thus far in a reserve role. Through 59 plate appearances, he’s slashing a robust .259/.322/.481.
Of course, the organization won’t expect that sort of output to continue when he returns. Rivera has also gone down on strikes 21 times. And he remains a .627 OPS hitter in nearly 1,500 career plate appearances.
For the time being, the club is going with Jose Briceno as the backup to primary receive Martin Maldonado. Though the Angels could look into alternatives if the opportunity arises — notably, former catcher Jett Bandy just went into DFA limbo — the anticipated absence from Rivera is short enough that it likely won’t force the club’s hand.
He proved with the padres he could hit
Huge fan of this guy
Trade for realmuto, less extent swihart.
Bandy
“Former catcher Jett Bandy”? What position does he play now?
Actually, I saw him play a few times at AA and thought he had a chance to stick in the show. Sorry to see his misfortune that past few years.
I think they meant that he used to play for the Angles.
Not having his bat sucks. Not having his glove sucks more. Scioscia will probably overwork Maldy just like last yr, to the point of significant decline.