New York Mets: Where in the World is T.J. Rivera?
The New York Mets lost utilityman, T.J. Rivera to Tommy-John surgery in 2018. Can the New York native make an impact for the club in 2019?
Many fans of the New York Mets remember T.J. Rivera very well. Where was Rivera in 2018?
The 30-year-old Bronx native made his debut for the Amazins’ in 2016. Rivera impressed with his bat as the 27-year-old rookie hit three home runs, drove in 16 RBIs and slashed .333/.345/.476 over his first 33 games.
During the 2017 season, Rivera continued to show that he is a capable Major League hitter. The utilityman hit five home runs, drove in 27 RBIs and slashed .290/.330/.430.
The righty seemed ready to be a significant piece of the 2018 Mets, until his ulnar collateral ligament decided otherwise.
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T.J. Rivera underwent Tommy-John surgery late in the 2017 season and has yet to return to a big league field. Rivera was initially slated to return in May but later saw his rehab pushed back to July.
The righty did manage to play six games during a Minor League assignment in July, but a sprained elbow caused his season to end. Rivera struggled during his rehab assignment, as he hit a mere .182/.182/.227.
A year off the field is a long time, but Rivera could still prove to be a valuable bench bat for the Amazins’ in 2019.
The New York Mets have built depth with the signings of Rajai Davis, Gregor Blanco, and Zach Lee, but they should not forget about T.J. Rivera.
Rivera has shown that he can produce at a slightly above league average rate, as he has posted an OPS+ of 108 over his first 344 plate appearances and he has shown the ability to play multiple positions.
Over his brief career, Rivera has played first, second and third base, while also making a number of appearances in the outfield.
If he shows that he can still hit and is healthy, I would expect the New York Mets to have a very fluid lineup as they can mix and match with Jeff McNeil and T.J. Rivera. The 30-year-old will not make a HUGE impact on the club, but he has been a forgotten piece amidst the Mets busy offseason.
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T.J. Rivera has shown that he has a terrific work ethic, so I believe that he will be back to form for 2019. I am excited to see what the New York native can bring to the table as the New York Mets attempt to return to the Playoffs.