Press Release | August 20th, 2017
The Chicago Cubs today activated right-handed pitcher Koji Uehara off of the 10-day disabled list and added catcher René Rivera to the 25-man roster. In corresponding roster moves, left-handed pitcher Rob Zastryzny and catcher Victor Caratini have been optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
Both Uehara and Rivera, who will wear uniform number seven, will be available for the Cubs this afternoon as they conclude their three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Wrigley Field.
Uehara, 42, is 3-4 with 13 holds, two saves and a 3.55 ERA (15 ER/38.0 IP) in 43 relief outings with the Cubs this season. He was placed on the 10-day disabled list on August 9 with a right neck strain and did not require a rehab assignment as part of his return.
今日から復帰しました。
で、いきなり打たれました…(^_^;)
このままではヤバイね…
— KOJI UEHARA (@TeamUehara) August 20, 2017
Rivera, 34, was claimed off waivers yesterday from the New York Mets. He has played all or part of nine major league seasons with Seattle (2004-06), Minnesota (2011), San Diego (2013-14), Tampa Bay (2015) and the Mets (2016-17) and is a career .215 hitter (274-for-1,272) with 53 doubles, 34 homers and 141 RBI in 453 games. With the Mets this season, he is batting .230 (40-for-174) with eight homers and 23 RBI in 54 games.
Now is time for this new chapter in my career with the Chicago @Cubs and I am really excited for it! #FlyTheW
— Rene Rivera (@ReneRivera13) August 19, 2017
Behind the plate, Rivera has thrown out 10 of 31 runners attempting to steal this season, a 32.3 percent success rate, which would tie for third-best in the National League if he had enough games played to qualify. His success rate this year mirrors his career totals, as he has thrown out 97 of 300 runners attempting to steal, 32.3 percent.
Zastryzny, 25, has made one appearance with the Cubs this season (4.0 IP, 3 ER). He is 1-2 with one save and a 6.57 ERA (27 ER/37.0 IP) in 12 appearances, five as a starter, with Iowa this season.
Caratini, 24, is batting .268 (11-for-41) with three doubles, one homer and two RBI in 17 games with the Cubs this season. With Iowa, he is hitting .344 (94-for-273) with 24 doubles, 10 homers and 59 RBI in 76 games.
