The Padres have selected the contract of catcher Webster Rivas, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune was among those to report. In other moves, the team recalled reliever Nick Ramirez and optioned infielder/outfielder Brian O’Grady.
Rivas is joining the Padres in the wake of Thursday’s injury list placement of Austin Nola, who has joined Victor Caratini to comprise the team’s top two backstops this season. It’s a dream opportunity for Rivas, a 30-year-old who has never played in the majors. He’ll start the Padres’ game against the Astros on Friday, per Acee.
Rivas has spent his entire minor league career with Southern California organizations, having previously played with the Dodgers and Angels since debuting in 2010. The Dominican Republic native has appeared in Triple-A ball in four different seasons, including the current campaign, and batted .293/.394/.470 with six home runs in 194 trips to the plate at that level.
jessaumodesto
Is this the kid from the tv show?
yogineely
What show is that?
For Love of the Game
Webster starring Emmanuel Lewis?
oldmansteve
No it’s the dictionary guy
Wilmer Flores' Tears
I think they’re third cousins. He’s related to Luis Rivas and Lenny Webster though.
Weber
second
DarkSide830
…
Mrtwotone
….
SoxRewl
The unwritten dialogue here is that the Padres want to be careful with Campusano’s development.
oldmansteve
Or just allow him to develop. Worst thing they can do is half his ABs just to have him in the MLB. Let him get his 300-400 ABs in AAA this year and if at the end of the year he is hitting call him up again.
Deleted_User
fWAR says Campy has been far-and-away the Padres’ worst player this year.
Wilmer Flores' Tears
Whatever fWAR is, I support the sentiment.
Dorothy_Mantooth
Campy has to lay off the ganga
amk1920
Rivas’ minor league stat page looks like a Star Wars opening crawl
pjmcnu
I know it’s the Pac, but how does a C with that line not get a look before now?
Wilmer Flores' Tears
Maybe his defense. Otherwise a newly-created statistic that baseball “writers” use to justify their salaries and jobs and how they know more than the average fan who only has access to a stat line with 20/100 vision so they can’t use the “eye test”.
Gwynning
His glove and arm can both play in the Show. It is a little amazing that he never got a shot before this, but he showed well last night and made a brilliant “Benito-like” play to nail Straw at 2nd. Called a great game, too. He has experience catching Lamet. Nice debut for the rook!
bbatardo
Good for him 30 year old journeyman getting his shot. I like how he gets inserted instantly into the lineup.
VegasSDfan
Called up Rivas vs Campusano who clearly wasn’t ready
Gwynning
It’s a development issue… you are correct that he is not ready but he is developing as planned. Better to keep him down and not interrupt the growth process.
petersdylan36
It makes since to not call up Campusano. The kid only has 37 MLB at bats to his name. It’s better for his development to play 80% of games at AAA than to play in 30% of MLB games right now. He is only 21. No need to hurt his development
nutznboltz
I definitely don’t think Campuzano is ready, but apparently the reason they didn’t call him was he’s having some leg issues. At least, that’s what they said.