The Nationals have signed infielder T.J. Rivera to a minor league contract, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports (Twitter link). Rivera has been assigned to Washington’s Double-A affiliate.
A late bloomer who didn’t reach the majors until he was 27, Rivera hit .304/.335/.445 over 344 plate appearances for the Mets in 2016-17. He hasn’t been back to the Show, however, since undergoing Tommy John surgery in September 2017, and was limited to only six minor league appearances in the Mets’ farm system in 2018 before being released in Spring Training.
Rivera then took time off to get fully healthy before inking a deal with the independent Atlantic League’s Long Island Ducks in early July, and hit .273/.323/.440 over 93 PA for the Ducks. He’ll now provide the Nationals with some versatility around the infield, as Rivera has a wealth of experience at second, third, and first base (plus some shortstop early in his career, and a handful of games as a corner outfielder). Though his Double-A assignment doesn’t hint that a big league call-up is imminent, Rivera nonetheless provides some extra depth for a Nats club that just lost Howie Kendrick to the injured list earlier today.
Hmmmm.. wonder if this is a below-the-radar good pickup later on.
“his Double-A assignment doesn’t hint that a big league call-up is imminent”
I’m not saying that they’re about to call him up, but I’m pretty sure the Nats have sent a bunch of their “taxi squad” guys to AA Harrisburg this year instead of their AAA team which is way out in Fresno.
You are correct. Harrisburg actually points to him joining Nats sooner.
A great guy, happy for him !!!!!
happy to see it back, sad it wasnt klentak who signed him. our independent league scouts are asleep on the job.
It doesn’t matter this year. Our 3 man rotation in SF will be Ross, Fedde and Sanchez. Just a matter of time till we fall out of wild card realistic contention
Congrats to the Pride of Throggs Neck! Here’s to hoping you get back to the big leagues!