Guardians Sign Austin Hedges, Designate Alfonso Rivas For Assignment
When the Cleveland Guardians signed right-handed pitcher Ben Lively earlier this week, their 40-man roster was at its maximum capacity.
This transaction came after it was reported that catcher Austin Hedges was signing a one-year contract with Cleveland, which was not yet official.
However, on Friday, the Guardians officially announced their signing of Hedges.
In order for Cleveland’s 40-man roster to remain at 40 players, first baseman/outfielder Alfonso Rivas was designated for assignment.
This comes just over a month after the Guardians claimed Rivas off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The 27-year-old has played 167 games over three MLB seasons, hitting .243 with 98 hits, seven home runs, 43 RBI, 16 doubles, and a .673 OPS. In 2023, Rivas played a combined 48 games with Pittsburgh and the San Diego Padres, hitting .229 with 25 hits, three home runs, 15 RBI, 10 doubles, and a .725 OPS.
Aug 8, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Alfonso Rivas (6) circles the bases on a solo home run against the Atlanta Braves during the fourth inning at PNC Park.
© Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
With this transaction, Cleveland will now have one week to either trade him or place him on waivers.
Rivas is not the first player the Guardians have designated for assignment this offseason. Last month, they designated starting pitcher Cal Quantrill, relief pitcher Michael Kelly, and catcher Cam Gallagher for assignment last month.
While Kelly was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics and Gallagher elected free agency, Cleveland was able to find a trade partner for Quantrill. The Guardians traded the starting pitcher to the Colorado Rockies for Minor League catcher Kody Huff.
With Cleveland officially signing Hedges, the team is getting not just a former member of its club, but the catcher with the most defensive runs saved (86) in MLB since 2015.
