Yadiel Rivera clears waivers, is outrighted

Infielder Yadiel Rivera has cleared waivers and been outrighted to the Alternate Training Site, the Texas Rangers announced on Sunday. Rivera had been designated for assignment on September 4 to make room on the active roster for pitcher John King.

Rivera was brought up to give the Rangers additional infield depth while Elvis Andrus was on the injured list. The 28 year old had been in camp this spring as minor league depth for AAA Nashville, and then was at summer camp as depth in case the Rangers needed to add a utility infielder to the roster they could drop from the 40 man roster when not needed anymore.

Rivera appeared in four games — twice as a starter, twice as a pinch runner — and was 0 for 5 in 5 plate appearances. That lowered his career slash line to .175/.244/.217 in 319 career plate appearances.

Rivera could have, I believe, refused an outright assignment, but why would he? He spends the next few weeks getting paid on his minor league deal and working out at the Alternate Training Site. If another team wants him, the Rangers would release him. In the meantime, he plays in some intrasquad games and gets a paycheck.