Mets reportedly bring back catcher Rene Rivera on minor-league deal

Rivera has played parts of three seasons in New York

1/22/2020, 4:19 AM
Jun 15, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets catcher Rene Rivera (44) talks with New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard (34) during ninth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field. The Mets defeated the Pirates 11-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports / Brad Penner
Jun 15, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets catcher Rene Rivera (44) talks with New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard (34) during ninth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field. The Mets defeated the Pirates 11-2. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports / Brad Penner

The Mets made a move to address their catching depth on Tuesday evening. 

According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Mets are bringing back veteran Rene Rivera on a minor-league deal. Per Nightengale, the contract is worth $1 million, though there are $300,000 worth of incentives if he makes the big-league team.

Rivera, 36, has played parts of three seasons with the Mets. After beginning his Major League career with stops in Seattle, Minnesota, San Diego and Tampa Bay, Rivera joined the Mets in 2016, when he appeared in 65 games and hit .222 with six home runs and 26 RBI. He had previously had a stop with the Mets organization in 2009, but never played higher than Triple-A that season.

He then played 54 games with the Mets in 2017 before being claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs.

After bouncing around for a couple more seasons, Rivera signed with the Mets again in 2019 on a minor-league deal. He appeared in just nine games last season, posting a .235 batting average.

For his career, Rivera has slashed .221/.272/.354, but he's always been more of a defensive catcher.

The Mets still have Wilson Ramos, who hit .288 for the Mets in 2019 thanks to a terrific second half, while Tomas Nido is also under team control through 2021. 


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