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Washington Nationals sign C René Rivera; reinstate Jordy Mercer from IL + more...

Nationals make a few roster moves in advance of the start of their three-game series with the Padres in D.C.

By Patrick Reddington
Pittsburgh Pirates v Washington Nationals Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images

With the news today that Washington Nationals’ third baseman Starlin Castro was going on administrative leave as the league investigates domestic violence allegations, it seemed obvious that the club would have to bring someone up or off the IL in order to take Castro’s place on the roster before the start of this weekend’s three-game series with the San Diego Padres in Nationals Park.

This afternoon the Nationals announced a series of moves in advance of the start of their second-half opening series:

· Agreed to terms on a Major League contract with catcher René Rivera

· Reinstated infielder Jordy Mercer from the 10-day Injured list

· Optioned catcher Jakson Reetz to Triple-A Rochester

· Infielder Starlin Castro placed on Administrative Leave by Major League Baseball under the Joint MLB-MLBPA Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy

Rivera, 37, joins catcher Tres Barrera in D.C. as both Yan Gomes (oblique) and Alex Avila (bilateral calf strains) are still on the 10-Day IL as the second-half of the 2021 campaign begins.

A veteran of 13 MLB seasons, Rivera was 13 for 35 (.236 AVG) with three doubles, two home runs, nine RBIs, four walks, and six runs scored in 21 games with Cleveland this season, but he was released by the club a little over a week back.

Mercer, 34, missed 12 games on the IL with a quad strain.

In 32 games and 77 plate appearances, the veteran infielder has put up a .270/.299/.365 line with four doubles and a home run in his 10th major league season.

Reetz, 25, is a 2014 3rd Round pick by the Nationals, who made his major league debut in the first-half ending series with the San Francisco Giants last weekend after he was called up following the injury to Gomes. He doubled in his first trip to the plate in the majors.

In 39 games and 156 PAs between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester this season, in his seventh year with the team, Reetz has a .215/.346/.354 line with 12 doubles and two home runs.

More information on all of the above should be available after Davey Martinez talks on Zoom at 4:00 PM ET this afternoon...

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