Rivera joins Twins' mix at catcher

The former Seattle Mariners backstop will replace Steve Holm on the major league roster.

May 6, 2011 at 6:10AM

BOSTON - The Twins announced Thursday that they will promote catcher Rene Rivera from Class AAA Rochester before Friday's game against the Boston Red Sox.

The 27-year-old Rivera batted .200 (9-for-45) with one homer and six RBI for the Red Wings. He has previous major league experience with the Seattle Mariners, including a 35-game stint in 2006, when he batted .152 in 99 at-bats.

He trades places with Steve Holm, who was sent back to Rochester after Wednesday's 3-2 victory over the White Sox, with his batting average at .118.

With Joe Mauer on the disabled list because of bilateral leg weakness, the Twins had been going with Holm and Drew Butera, who is batting .111.

After adding Rivera to the 40-man roster, the Twins will have all 40 spots filled.

about the writer

about the writer

Joe Christensen

Sports team leader

Joe Christensen, a Minnesota Star Tribune sports team leader, graduated from the University of Minnesota and spent 15 years covering Major League Baseball, including stops at the Riverside Press-Enterprise and Baltimore Sun. He joined the Minnesota Star Tribune in 2005 and spent four years covering Gophers football.

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