Mets’ Rivera Plays Infield Roulette
NEW YORK—T.J. Rivera manned third base in the Caribbean Series for Puerto Rico, the birthplace of both of his parents. Now the versatile infielder heads to big league camp as a non-roster invite.
The Mets decided against adding the 27-year-old Rivera to the 40-man roster in November, despite him hitting a combined .325/.364/.449 in 110 games at Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Las Vegas in 2015. He then went unselected in the Rule 5 draft.
That’s just the latest obstacle in Rivera’s career. Raised in the Bronx, N.Y., he signed with the Mets as an nondrafted free agent out of Troy in 2011 and has climbed the ladder.
“There wasn’t much talk about me being added, so I kind of expected it,” Rivera said. “It wasn’t too much of a letdown because it was the same kind of situation last year. I was kind of hoping for (something to happen in) the Rule 5 draft, (but) that’s how things go . . .
“There’s not much you can do about it, so you just try to stay positive.”
Rivera will open the season at Las Vegas, but he will have to move around to find playing time. Shortstop Gavin Cecchini and second baseman Dilson Herrera will be the priority middle infielders, with Matt Reynolds also possibly floating between positions.
Rivera has appeared at all four infield positions during his career. He hopes to further diversify this season by playing outfield.
“I know it’s a little late now, but I want to be able to play some outfield as well,” Rivera said. “I’ve never really done so before, but I think it’s a transition I can possibly make.”
Rivera opened last season at Binghamton, spent the bulk of the summer at Las Vegas, then returned to the Eastern League on July 31, coinciding with Reynolds’ return from the disabled list.
“I was really happy to be able to go to Triple-A and face some veteran pitchers,” Rivera said. “To be able to perform at a decent level, I was proud of myself to do that. ”
METAMORPHOSES
• The Mets plan to give Michael Conforto exposure to right field during spring training. The natural left fielder plays the same position as Gold Glove veteran Yoenis Cespedes.
• The club signed catcher Raywilly Gomez to a minor league deal to add system depth at the upper levels. He joins Nevin Ashley and Johnny Monell as non-roster backstops in big league camp.
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