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A topic of some speculation heading into this spring was the health of Buster Posey and who would be his backup(s) if he showed he might not be in game shape or would need more time to recover from his hip surgery than was expected.
Today, with Stephen Vogt – who is recovering from shoulder surgery on his shoulder capsule and “clean ups” on his rotator cuff and labrum, according to MLB.com – signed to a minor league deal and still recovering from his shoulder injury, and Joey Bart set to start his season in San Jose, the Giants released Rene Rivera, one of the two active backup options behind Posey. Rivera went 8-for-31 (.258) in 11 games this spring, and was a favorite among Giants pitchers, according to Andrew Baggarly.
Giants have released C Rene Rivera. He had a good spring. Doubt this is the decision if the Giants were less confident about Posey’s health.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) March 23, 2019
This means that Aramis Garcia, 26 – who had a fantastic 19 games to end to last season, during which he went 18-for-63 (.286) with 4 home runs and 9 RBIs – has essentially locked down his spot as Posey’s backup. Garcia is 7-for-30 (.233) with 2 home runs and 4 RBIs in 18 games this spring, while Posey has played in 11 games is 7-for-29 (.241) with 3 RBIs and an odd triple.
According to Baggarly, the move also means the Giants have a backup catcher with more flexibility, perhaps if/when Vogt comes back and potentially bumps Garcia back down to San Jose:
Keeping Rivera involved two drawbacks. Unlike Aramis Garcia, he cannot be optioned. And adding Rivera would mean jettisoning someone else off the 40-man when they already must clear space for Parra, Solarte, Vincent. https://t.co/F2m0SVqdX9
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) March 23, 2019
In addition to the release of Rivera, the Giants have kept relief pitcher Nick Vincent and told outfielder Gerardo Parra and infielder Yangervis Solarte they’ve also made the team:
Nick Vincent made the club. Parra and Solarte also told they will be on the team.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) March 23, 2019