The Washington Nationals announced the following roster moves on Friday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements:
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 the Nationals after hitting .236 (13-for-55) with three doubles, two homers, nine RBI, four walks and six runs scored in 21 games with the Cleveland Indians this season. He made 17 starts and threw out four of 11 baserunners attempting to steal.
The right-handed hitting Rivera is a veteran of 13 Major League seasons, spending time with the Cleveland Indians (2021), New York Mets (2016-17, 2019-20), Atlanta Braves (2018), Los Angeles Angels (2018), Chicago Cubs (2017), Tampa Bay Rays (2015), San Diego Padres (2013-14), Minnesota Twins (2011) and Seattle Mariners (2004-06).
Mercer, 34, returns to the Nationals after missing 12 games with a strained right quad. He is hitting .270 with four doubles, one homer, one RBI, three walks and eight runs scored in 32 games. In seven starts prior to going on the Injured List, Mercer was 9-for-25 (.360) with two doubles, one homer and one RBI.
Reetz, 25, made his Major League debut on July 10 at San Francisco. He clubbed a pinch-hit double for his first Major League hit that afternoon.
