On June 10, the Orioles designated corner infielder Emmanuel Rivera for assignment as they reinstated Cedric Mullins and Jordan Westburg from the Injured List.
Rivera, 28, was a key player for the Puerto Rican national team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Rivera made his Major League debut with the Kansas City Royals in 2021. He also played with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Miami Marlins before being claimed by Baltimore last summer. Through 365 games, Rivera has 2.0 Wins Above Replacement and a career .980 fielding percentage.
Last year, Rivera had the best offensive output of his career in 27 games with the Orioles with a slash line of .313/.370 /.578. This season however, Rivera has played 25 games in Baltimore, and while he has a positive WAR at 0.5, he has struggled at the plate with a .232/.302/.275 slash line and a 69 OPS+. With the struggling Orioles getting two former All-Star hitters back from injury, Rivera was a probable casualty from Orioles upper management.
Rivera has never been the most prolific hitter, but he has had some success for Puerto Rico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. In five games, Rivera went five for eighteen with five RBIs and a triple while playing third base. He helped Puerto Rico advance to the knockout stage of the tournament before they lost to Mexico 5-4 in the quarterfinals.
Rivera also has experience playing in the Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente for the Indios de Mayagüez in Puerto Rico. Additionally, he has played for Puerto Rico in six separate Caribbean Series.
It remains to be seen how the recent struggles and designation for Rivera will factor into the selection for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Young Puerto Rican infielders like Jose Miranda will be competing for infield roster spots with Rivera. Mark Vientos has also not picked a country with which to compete internationally yet, and is eligible to play for Puerto Rico if he so chooses.
Rivera is now on waivers and eligible to be claimed by any MLB club for the remainder of the 2025 season. His next landing spot will be pivotal for him to showcase his ability with the 2026 WBC on the horizon.
Photo: Emmanuel Rivera in action during a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
