Sebastian

Rivero

Rivero hasn’t appeared in the big leagues since getting into 34 contests for the Royals from 2021-2022. The 26-year-old backstop spent all last year in Atlanta’s system, batting .186/.239/.249 with one homer and one steal in 259 plate appearances between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett. He’s merely emergency catching depth at this stage of his career.

Rivero last appeared in the majors for the Royals, getting into 34 contests over a two-year period from 2021-2022. He spent all of last season at Triple-A Charlotte and Double-A Birmingham in the White Sox’ organization. The 25-year-old backstop provides the Braves with some emergency catching depth heading into next season.

Rivero quickly latches on with the division-rival White Sox just a few weeks after being released by the Royals. The 24-year-old backstop ping-ponged between Kansas City’s active roster and the minors last year, getting into 17 contests at the highest level. He’s hit just .167/.236/.197 across 73 plate appearances in 34 games in the majors over the last two years. He’s more of an emergency catching depth addition for Chicago than anything else.

Rivero was designated for assignment by Kansas City last week and passed through waivers unclaimed. The 24-year-old backstop carries a career .167/.236/.197 batting line in 34 games (73 plate appearances) at the MLB level.

Rivero has been up and down several times the last two years and played last season at age 23, so there’s still time for him to perhaps emerge as a useful backup. Right now, he’s not good enough offensively or defensively. He hit .218/.294/.410 in 178 plate appearances in Triple-A last season. He’s hit .167/.236/.197 in 73 plate appearances as a major leaguer.

This is essentially the corresponding roster move for Vinnie Pasquantino (shoulder) landing on the IL. Rivero, 23, is a career .135/.211/.173 hitter in 24 games (58 plate appearances) at the major league level.

Rivero was up with the big league club for a week to provide extra catching depth, but he’ll be sent out to make room for Brent Rooker on the active roster. The 23-year-old is hitless in 12 at-bats with six strikeouts during his time with the Royals this season.

Rivero is 7-for-52 (.135) in 24 career games at the MLB level. He’s not fantasy relevant.

With both catchers -- MJ Melendez and Cam Gallagher -- unavailable for their series against the Blue Jays in Toronto, Rivero got a chance to show what he can do at the big league level. He’ll continue to serve as additional catching depth at Double-A.

MJ Melendez and Cam Gallagher are both unvaccinated from COVID-19, so Rivero will get a lot of playing time behind the plate during the Royals’ four-game series at Toronto, which begins on Thursday night.